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Close  Qj'autkrs. 


THE 


BEAU  HUNTERS 


OF 


THE  ROCKY  MOUNTAINS. 


BY 


ANNE    BOWMAN, 

author  op   "kangaroo  hunters,"    "castaways," 
"esperanza,"  etc.,  etc. 


ILLUSTRATED. 


/'I 


PHIL  A  D  E  L  P  11 1 A  : 
P  O  R  T  E  R    &    i)  GATE  S. 


%r 


l£iW 


CONTENTS. 


Chapter  I.  —  The  Tutor  and  Pupil  —  On  Board  theM/^-^-e! —  Villiam  Arn- 
clilfe  —  A  lall  into  a  Tur-bucket,  and  the  conHequeuoeti,       .        ,        paoe  1 

Chap.  II.  — The  Captain  in  his  cnbin  —  A  Visit  to  the  Steerage  pas.sengerfl  — 
Dick's  friendly  Arrangements  —  A  Fatal  (iale  —  Tlie  Landitig,    ,         .       12 

Chap.  III.  —  Tlie  Last  Trip  —  Tiie  Fate  of  tlie  Knn}<rnntn  —  The  Wreck  of  th« 
Nugget  —  Dreary  Prospects  —  Captain  Scrutoii's  lluling  Passion,  .      'M 

Chap.  IV.  — The  Claims  of  the  Wreckers— Ned  Conolly's  Will  —  D<«ni» 
O'lieilly  on  the  Temperance  Question  —  The  .Schoolmaster's  K«'biike,       -id 

Chap.  V. — A  Snow-storm  and  its  Results  —  The  Scene  of  the  Ma.'t.'^aoie  —  A 
quick  Retreat  —  Tale  of  Shai'pley's  Treiwihery  — A  Dismal  Procession,      47 

Chap.  VI.  —  A  Night  in  the  Snjw  —  The  Fishing  Indians  —  Mr.  Ftoilii'^v's  Pil- 
low Abstracted  —  The  Heading  Men  Puzzled — Sharpley's  Character,      69 

Chap.  Vl.^.-  Ducks  and  Geese  —  The  Sabbath  on  the  mountain  —  Alarm 
of  Pursuit  —  Pat's  Discovery  —  Iligging  a  Whip  —  Tlic  S<'alp-buiit<.'rs,    7<J 

Chap.  VIII  — Pat  and  the  Bear- -  A  Peep  into  a  Den  —  Dick's  Description 
of  the  White  Chief — Descent  to  the  Plains  —  Dennis  plana  a  College,       81 

CuAP.  IX.  —  Indian  Lodges — A  Confusion  of  Tongues — Succes.sful  Oration 
of  the  Schoolmaster  —  The  marvellous  Shot  -  A  Hunting  K.xpedition,      93 

Chap.  X.  —  Worse  than  tlie  Bears  —  A  Skirmi.sh  with  the  Indians  —  Sharpley 
agjiin — The  WJiite  Chief — A  Distribution  of  Gifts — The  Separation,     106 

Chap.  XI. — The  Assent  of  the  Snowy  Mountains  —  A  deserted  Hut  —  Tlie 
Elk  —  Negligent  Sentinels  —  Brighter  Hopes  —  America  in  contempt,      117 

Chap.  XII.  —  Hares  and  Rabbits  —  The  dec  t'ul  Lake  —  A  Skirmish  with 
Savages  —  Water  in  the  Desert  —  The  Black  1.  -  and  her  Cubs  —  The  value 
of  Bear  Skins  —  The  Kooky  Mountains  in  sight,  ....     129 

Chap.  XIII.  — A  Mischievous  Arrow —  The  Volcanic  Mountain  —  A  Sportinat 
Excursion  —  The  Pine  Wood  —  The  Qlen  of  the  DeaJ,         .        .        .     142 

Chap.  XIV.  —  Abundance  of  Game  —  Men  and  Horses  —  An  Easy  Victory  —  A 
Vexatious  Prisoner  —  The  Obdui-ate  Arncliffe  —  Once  more  on  march,    lOS 

Chap.  XV. — Arncliffe's  Stratagem — The  fruitless  Pursuit  —  Lost  in  the 
Mountains  —  Recovered  Trail  —  A  Tunnel  through  Mie  Snow  —  Escape,     165 

Chap.  XVI.  —  William's  E.xplanation  —  The  Tale  of  HorrDr — Three  days  m 
the  Snow  — Climbing  the  Mountains  —  The  Indkin  Guide,  .        .        .     178 

Chap.  XVII.  —  An  Onslaught  among  the  Bears  —  An  Alarm — A  March  in 
the  Water  —  The  Secret  Fortress  —  The  Enemy   ,t  the  Gates,       ,        .    190 

Chap.  XVIIl.  --  Be.«ioged  in  a  Hole  —  Piping  to  Quarters  —  An  Attack  from 
tku  Ramgnrts  —  DispersLon  of  the  Befieg^rfl  —  Vrizca  of  Victory,  201 

(Ui) 


Iv 


CONTENTS. 


Vi 


*<■'■,- 


I-     ■ 


^'' 


Pv.- 


F:^. 


Cbap.  XIX  .  —  DrekBlnR  for  the  Rerpption  —  Mosquaw,  the  Indian  Chief-  -  A 
UospitiibJd  Welcome  —  Indian  IJfe —.Sporting  in  tlie  Woodn,       .        .    212 

Chap.  XX.  —  Pat  in  a  Mischief—  Tlie  Spoil  of  the  (,'lmHo  —  An  Expedition  to 
the  I'lains  — Enemy  in  Sight  —  An  unhiipi_,  Sneeza  —  The  Capture,  .    226 

Chap.  XXI.  —  The  Pawnee  I.O(lj;ea  —  Another  En^jlinh  Slave  —  The  lawlesn 
ArndilTe  — Tlie  Miilnight  Signal  —  First  Signs  of  lUpenbince,      .        .    239 

Chap.  XXII.  —  ])ay.s  of  Rest  —  A  I'ocp  through  the  Telescope  —  The  Asshr. 
Bin's  Fate  —  Tlie  Uinpersion  of  the  Tribe — Down  on  tlie  PrairieB  —  Tlic 
llaft  on  tho  River  — The  Puma, 2f>0 

Chap.  XXTII.  —Another  Raft  — The  Trapper's  Hut  —  The  Conflict  with  the 
Grizzly  Bears  —  Tlie  Foray  in  the  Corral  —  An  Outcry  for  Pat,    .        .    263 

Chap.  XXIV.  — The  White  Dove  — The  Warning  —  Making  a  fnrAe— Tlie 
Siege  —  Terms  of  Capitulation  —  The  Tents  of  the  Indians  —  Mrs.  Avon- 
dale's  Story  —  The  Indian  Massacre, 274 

Chap.  XXV.— The  Story  Resumed  — The  Captivity —The  Mercy  of  the 
Chief — The  Medicine-woman  and  her  I'rivilcges — Arncliffe  in  Dan- 
ger—  The  Worth  of  a  Match-box  —  The  proposed  Vengeance,     .        .    287 

Chap.  XXVI.  —  ArnclifTe's  Escape  —  Tlie  Pursuit —  Pfitin  his  Hermitage  —  A 
Visit  to  the  Mountain  Caves —  Important  Plot  —  Start  for  the  Clia.><e,     3<X) 

Chap.  XXVII.  — After  the  BulTaloes-  '•'he  Grand  Mrlrt  — The  Fate  of  the 
Quack  —  The  Indians  at  the  Hut  —  Protracted  Confinement,       .        .    bll 

Chap  XXVIII.  Occupations  of  Confinement  —The  Anthropophagi  —  The 
Buttes  of  the  Prairies  —  The  Bursting  of  the  .Storm  —  Dry  Lodgings,      323 

Chap.  XXIX.  —Labyrinth  of  Caves  —  Thunder-storm  —  River  Barrier  —  The 
Unmanageable  Raft  —  Total  Destruction  —  John's  Dread  of  Water,  .     335 

Chap.  XXX.  —  Talking  Stock  —  Looking  out  for  Salvage  —  The  Contrivancea 
of  the  Destitute  —  Prairie  Travelling  —  A  Night  of  Storm  —  Lost  Trail,    346 

Chap.  XXXI.  —  Unsuccessful  Researches  —  Pafs  Rib  —  A  Sight  of  the 
Sun  —  The  Night  Owl  —  Vengeance  of  the  Indians — Merciful  Deliver- 
aiye, 367 

Chap.  XXXII.  —  Beyond  the  River  —  Footsteps  on  the  Shore  —  Pat's  Dis- 
covery of  the  large  Nest  —  The  Trapper's  Hut  —  Arnclille'S  Ill-fortune,    369 

Chap.  XXXIII.  —  Trapper's  Cache  —  Buffalo  Cha.^e  —  Flight  of  John  —  The 
Skin  Coracles  —  A  Startling  Story  —  The  Embarkation  on  the  River,  .    381 

Chap.  —  XXXIV.  —  The  Beaver  Lodges  —  A  Spy  in  the  Bush  — Jacob's  Doc- 
trine of  Morality  —  Captain  Scruton's  Fleet  —  Indian  Encampment,  .    392 

Crap.  XXXV.  —  A  Man  missing  —  A  Skirmish  —  Pursuit  —  Arncliffe  in  Jeop- 
ardy  —  The  Attack  of  the  Ambush  —  The  Prizes  of  Victory,       .        .    404 

Chap.  XXXVI.  —  A  Supply  of  Roots  —  The  Strawberry  Bank  —  The 
Deer  at  the  Pool  —  Pat's  heroic  Fight  —  The  Return  of  the  Buffalo 
Hunters  —  A  Pack  of  Thieves  —  The  Escape  of  the  Puma,  .        •        .    418 

Chap.  XXXVII.  —  The  Bee-hunt  —  Starting  new  Game  —  Salt  Lake  —  Wild 
llice  —  The  River  and  its  Inhabitants  —  The  unlucky  Horse,       .        .    42fl 

Chap.  XXXVIII.  —  The  Trail  —  The  War-whoou  —  The  Horse-robbers  —  A 
Sharp  Conflict  —  News  from  Avondale  —  A  Prospect  of  Happiness,     .    43fl 

Chap.  XXXIX.  —  The  Night-birds  again  —  Jacob's  big  Lot  —  Intentioni 
of  the  Swift  Elk  —  The  Amusement  of  the  Squaws  —  Feeding  Time,  .    448 

3hap.  XL.  —  Sentence  of  Death  —  The  joyful  Signal  -  The  Slaughter  —  Avon- 
dals'sGratituls  —  General  Patrick  —  Home  —  England  and  its  Duties,    464 


THE    HEAIMIUNTERS. 


CHAPTEK   I. 


Hie  Tutor  and  Pupil.  —  On  Tioard  the  Nugf/et.  —  The  Education 
Question.  —  Tlie  Plans  of  the  iMiiigrauts.  —  William  Arnclilie.  — A 
fall  into  a  Tar-bucket,  and  tlwi  consequences. 

Two  ffontlomon  wci-e  vvalkin«r  to<r<'t!ier  thi'ouirh  the 


plcuisaiit  gardens  of 


College ;  one,  a  tall,  hand- 


some, animated  youth  of  twenty,  the  other  of  moi-e 
mature  j^ears,  of  a  mild,  calm,  intellectual  countenance, 
who  woixi  an  air  of  dignity  consistent  with  liis  jKJsilion. 
In  university  parlance,  th(;y  stood  in  the  situation  of 
tutor  and  pupil. 

"I  do  not  ohject,  my  dear  Harold,"  said  the  tulor, 
**  to  accompany  you  through  the  known  and  unknown 
regions  of  the  Western  world  ;  hut  I  feel  a  strong 
reluctance;  to  commence  our  exj)e(lilion  in  such  rough 
'^tyle.  Why,  in  the  name  of  comfort  and  re{)Ose, 
do  you  choose  to  take  your  passage  in  a  cotnmon 
emigrant  ship,  when  you  can  command  the  conveniences 
of  home  by  sailing  in  a  first-rate  steamier  ?  '' 

"  Because,  Rodney,  I  am  a  whimsical  fellow,"  an- 
swered Harold.  "  What  do  I  care  for  comfort  and 
repose?       I    am    yoeng    and     healthy,    and    full    of 

I  (I) 


2 


THK      ;£AR-nUNTKW9 


curiosity;  I  desire  novelty,  advontuns  even  trial,  or  a 
little  adversity,  if  such  a  spoiled  child  of  fortune  aa 
I  am,  can  safely  bear  the  descent.  Do  you  love  me  well 
enouj^h,  my  dear  <jfuardian  and  friend,  to  overlook  my 
sellishness,  and  rough  it  with  me  for  the  next  ten  or 
twelve  months?  1  am  nearly  twenty,  and  must  then 
return  to  celebrate  my  majority,  and  release  you  from 
your  troublesome  responsibility." 

"  I  have  had  you  in  my  charge,  my  dear  boy," 
answered  Mr.  Rodney,  "  since  the  death  of  your  parents, 
and  I  shall  not  suffer  you  to  undertake  this  Quixotic 
expedition  without  me.     I  am  aware  that    I  shall    be 

laugiied  at   by  my  grave  brethren  of for  this 

middle-aged  frolic  ;  but,  defying  ridicule,  I  consent  to 
be  Sancho  Panza." 

"No  such  thing,  Rodney,"  said  Harold;  "John 
Carter,  my  groom,  is  to  be  my  Sancho ;  he  would  be  no 
hero  in  the  field  of  battle,  but  he  is  a  keen  sportsman, 
a  good  shot,  and  once  on  the  hunting-groimds  I  would 
advise  the  bears  and  buffaloes  to  look  about  them  ;  Johc 
will  not  spare  them." 

"  Very  well,"  replied  Mr.  Rodney ;  "  then  let  John 
look  after  a  ship  that  can  be  warranted  not  to  come  to 
pieces  and  scatter  its  passengers  amidst  the  billows  of 
the  turbulent  Pacific.  I  affect  no  judgment  in  nautical 
matters. 

"  I  will  write  to  Liverpool  to-day,"  said  Haroid, 
"  and  I  have  no  doubt  we  shall  both  acquire  a  large 
amount  of  seamanship  during  our  voyage  ;  for  we  must 
keep  our  eyes  open,  and  have  our  pens  and  pencils 
ready.  I  hope  when  we  return,  you  will  publish  a 
book,  Rodney." 

"  Not    I,   tiMly,   Harold,"  answered   his   friend ;   **  I 


or    THK    '    "JCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


Lave  no  fani^  for  making  the  public  arf|iiaint('rl  with 
my  secret  thoughts  and  my  l/unuk'riug  guesses  at  facts. 
1  may  observe  and  note,  but  it  will  be  for  my  own 
future  recreation  in  my  solitary  hours." 

"  What  a  selfish  old  cynic  you  are,  Rodney,"  said 
Harold.  "Then  I  must  be  the  author,  and  you 
must  purvey  for  me.  Now  let  us  make  up  our 
baggage,  on  the  a{)proved  principles  of  compaclncsa 
and  economy.  No  superfluities ;  no  large  books, 
remember." 

"  I  must  have  the  companions  of  my  leisure  hours,** 
said  Mr.  Rodney. 

"  But  I  don't  mean  you  to  have  any  leisure  hours," 
replied  Harold  ;  "  I  mean  that  we  shall  fatigue  ourselves 
80  thoroughly  during  the  day  with  hard  work,  that  we 
shall  be  glad  to  devote  our  short  leisure  to  eating  and 
sleeping." 

"A  mere  animal  existev  ce,"  exclaimed  Mr.  Rodney. 

*'  Be  it  so,  Socrates,"  said  the  youth, ;  ''  shall  we  rot 
be  accumulating  materials  to  feed  the  tfioughtful  mind 
for  the  next  ten  years  ?  Let  me  be  arbitrary  this  one 
time,  my  dear  Rodney." 

"  You  are  ever  arbitrary,"  answered  Rodney,  "  and  I, 
as  ever,  remain  your  very  obedient  —  tutor." 

It  was,  indeed,  a  fact  that  the  placid  tutor  usually 
submitted  with  resignation  to  the  harmless  whims  of 
his  beloved  pupil  and  ward.  Harold  Croflon  was  an 
only  child,  left  an  orphan  at  an  early  age,  witii  a  large 
fortune.  His  guardian,  who  had  been  the  intimate 
friend   of  his   father,  was   a   fellow   and    professor   al 

College.     Of  an  affectionate  disposition,  without 

near   relations,  he   became  so   fondly  attached    to    his 
lively  and  impetuous  ward,  that,  satisfied  with  his  pro- 


i  THK,    BKAU-IIUNTKRS 

grcsa  in  study  and  the  rectitude  of  his  conduct,  he  was 
indulgent  to  his*  taste  for  novelty  and  excitement,  and 
did  not  attempt  to  control  his  adventurous  rambling, 
provided  he  was  himself  always  by  his  side  to  watch 
over  his  safety  and  moderate  his  im|tetuosity.  Even 
now,  though  it  cost  him  a  pang  to  abandon  the  luxu- 
rious ease  of  his  studious  life  at  Cambi'idge,  he  at  onco 
agreed  to  follow  his  beloved  pupil  on  his  wild  project, 
rather  than  trust  him  unguarded  amongst  strange  and 
perilous  associations. 

And  thus  it  was  that,  ten  days  afterwards,  in  the 
pleasant  days  of  August,  the  gay,  carleess,  prosperous 
child  of  aristocracy,  and  the  retired,  gentle,  philosophic 
Rodney  found  themselves  in  the  inconvenient  state 
cabin  of  the  pompously-advertised  emigrant  vessel,  the 
Nugget,,  laden  with  speculators  for  California,  and  a 
party  of  emigrants,  driven  by  poverty,  or  induced  by 
domestic  relations  to  seek  a  home  in  a  new  world. 

"  Now  for  it.  Dominie,"  said  Harold,  when  the  dis- 
agreeables of  the  first  two  or  three  days  of  sailing  had 
Bubsided ;  "  don't  look  so  wistfully  at  that  wooden  case 
of  literary  lumber.  Let  us  go  on  deck  and  study 
human  nature  under  adverse  circumstances.  The 
skipper  himself  seems  to  have  but  one  idea,  the  en- 
deavor to  make  his  ship  last  out  the  voyage ;  the  mate 
is  a  coarse  ruffianly  fellow ;  we  sliall  derive  no  amuse- 
ment from  them,  but  I  hope  we  may  glean  something 
from  the  steerage  passengers." 

The  two  friends  were  the  only  cabin  passengers,  and, 
limited  as  the  accommodations  were,  they  had  the  satis- 
faction of  having  them  to  themselves,  and  might 
arrange  their  books  and  other  possessions  as  they 
choie,   certain    that    they    would    remain    undisturbed 


■"■'} 


OF    TIIK    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


TUo.y  now  went  on  deck,  wlicro,  afior  a  lew  words 
witli  the  taciturn  caotain,  HaioM  proccctltMl  to  make 
the  a('(|iiainfance  of  the  sailors;  and  afterwards  they 
ventured  among  the  noisy  crowd  who  tfiiantod  the 
8teeraf:5(!,  from  whom  Rodney  retreated  in  dismay, 
alarmed  and  ann()V<!d  at  the  clamor  of  ton^rues,  *he 
harkinjj;  of  do^^s,  the  cryin'^  of  children,  and  I  he  con- 
fused scene  of  cookinj^,  nur  ing,  and  card-[)laying  that 
pervadtul  this  portion  of  the  vessel. 

lint  in  one  corner  of  the  deck  Harold  saw  a  (jnlctcr 
group,  towards  whom  he  drew  his  compliant  friend. 
An  old  witliered  man,  small  in  stature,  with  hright  keen 
eyes,  was  seated  with  a  book  in  his  hand,  giving  a  les- 
son to  a  rough,  good-natur"d  looking  lad  about  fifteen 
years  of  age  ;  a  taller  youth  of  superior  appearance  was 
lounging  pensively  against  the  bulwarks ;  while  two 
neat  little  women,  who  seemed  to  be  mother  and  daugh- 
ter, were  seated  on  wooden  boxes,  knitting  industriously. 
As  the  two  gentlemen  approaclujd,  the  sharp  eyes  of  the 
old  man  fell  on  them,  and,  rising,  he  made  a  profound 
bow,  saying, 

"  Gentlemen,  I  do  my  honors  to  ye.  Mike !  is  tliat 
yer  manners  ?  Sure  it's  not  many  the  like  of  your  hon- 
ors, the  rale  gentry  that  is,  that  come  to  bless  the  eyes 
of  the  poor  emigrants.  Wont  it  be  the  thirst  of  laming 
every  thing  that  brings  your  honors  to  this  same  poor 
place  ?  It's  maybe,  like  Solomon  himself,  you'd  '  search 
concerning  all  things  done  under  heaven.'  True  it  is, 
then,  I  pray  you  will  not  find  it  '  vexation  of  s[)irit,'  as 
he  was  finding  it ;  wise  as  he  was,  and  writing  many 
books,  as,  like,  your  honors  will  be  mailing  to  do.'' 

"  I   am  by  no  means  certain  that    I    shall   write  a 

Ivtok,"  «aid  Harold,  laughing;  "but  if  I  should  do  so, 

1* 


JgF    fvV. 


6 


V,    BKAR-HUNTKUS 


:-.j    'J 


f^_ 


m 


my  friend,  I  HiUst  know  your  name,  that  you  may  lmv€ 
a  distinguished  place  in  it.  May  I  ask  wiiat  lias 
tempted  you  to  emigrate  from  your  favored  island  ?  " 

"  Well,  thin,  to  spake  the  thruth,  your  honor ;  nade," 
replied  the  old  man  ;  then,  quickly  resuming  his  former 
pompous  manner,  and  correcting  his  brogue,  he  contin- 
ued :  "  It  was  altogether  the  times,  your  honor :  isn't 
it  mad  our  people  are  turning  ?  and  Dennis  O'Reilly 
wouldn't  be  the  man  to  turn  with  them.  Would  I  be 
seeing  the  childer  at  my  school  knowing  no  betther  than 
them  in  England  of  the  peo{)le  that  came  afore  them ; 
and  forgetting  all  the  ancient  glory  of  their  counthry,  to 
be  larning  things  about  trade,  and  mines,  and  drawing 
pictures,  and  singing,  and  such-like  —  things  that's  be- 
neath a  school-master  to  tache  ;  and  didn't  I  scorn  to  be 
meddling  with  the  same?  and  wouldn't  I  sooner  be 
burning  my  fine  old  classics,  seeing  I'd  be  having  no 
use  for  them.  It's  their  edication  q-t  ^stion,your  honor; 
sure,  isn't  it  their  ignorance  that  is  sending  me  away 
from  ray  counthry  ?  Would  I  be  going  to  school  myself 
at  seventy  years  old,  and  me  fit  to  taehe  them  all,  out 
and  out?" 

''  And  therefore,  Mr.  O'Reilly,"  said  Harold,  "  you 
are  making  a  voyage  to  teach  the  classics  to  the  gold- 
diggers." 

"  Sure,  thin,  I'd  niver  be  thryin'  them,"  answered  the 
old  man  ;  "  they'd  niver  be  mindin'  their  tasks  at  all, 
not  they.  Didn't  the  ancients  themselves  write  it  down 
that  the  love  of  gold  made  a  man  no  betther  nor  a  brute  ? 
I'd  be  gittin'  no  gold-diggers  at  all  for  scholars.  But, 
to  S{)ake  the  thruth,  your  honor,  it  wasn't  a  choice  was 
left  me  at  all.  My  lady  she  sends  out  her  people,  that 
cannot  live  yonder,  altogether  fiee,  to  Austhralia  and  to 


OP   THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


7 


America ;  and  these  boys,  and  the  woman,  and  the  girl, 
they  were  in  the  mind  to  go  to  California  ;  and  me  not 
having  a  penny,  and  my  school  taken  away,  my  lady 
she  says,  *  Thin,  Mr.  O'Reilly,  sure,  won't  you  ba 
crossing  with  your  people  ?  you'll  be  minding  the  young, 
and  they'll  be  caring  for  you  ; '  and  I  was  agraable  to 
that  same." 

"  But  when  you  land  in  California,"  asked  Mr.  Rod- 
ney, "  what  do  you  propose  to  do  ?  " 

"  Sure,  thin,  your  honor,''  answered  he,  "  wont  I  stop 
at  the  town  to  see  the  boys  settle  at  their  work,  and  the 
women  rint  a  cabin  and  set  up  their  wash-tubs  ?  and  if 
I  wouldn't  be  liking  the  ways  of  the  gold-diggers,  I'd  be 
walking  on  a  bit  further  to  seek  out  some  of  our  own 
people  in  Illinois  county." 

"  But,  my  good  friend,  that  is  beyond  the  Rocky 
Mountains,"  said  Mr.  Rodney. 

"  Will  it  be  mountains  I'd  be  turning  back  for  ?  "  re- 
plied Dennis  ;  '*  would  there  be  any  mountains  of  Amer- 
ica aqual  to  our  own  ancient  mountains  of  Killarney  ?" 

It  would  not  have  been  easy  to  convince  the  old  man 
that  the  Rocky  Mountains  would  bar  his  journey  to  his 
friends,  or  that  they  were  more  inaccessible  than  Irish 
mountains ;  so  Harold  turned  away  to  ask  the  taller  of 
the  two  boys  why  he  had  left  his  home  for  a  strange 
country. 

The  young  man  colored,  and  did  not  speak  ;  the  elder 
woman  answered  for  him. 

"  Is  it  Willie,  your  honor  ?  isn't  he  my  own  sister's 
son,  and  she  gone  to  God  ?  Pretty  girl  she  was  ;  and  a 
fine  wake  we  made  her,  God  be  praised !  And  wasn't 
the  boy  left  on  me,  in  regard  of  his  father  being  a  wild 
Englisher,  <urning  his  back  on  his  child  and  his  dead 


TIIK    UK,An-miNTKU8 


wife,  ami  iniikin;;  ofV  lo  Califoniy  fo  gil  f^oM  ;  iuu\  uivf.r 
R  <:;i'MiM  ol"  (lia(  sain<>  has  llu;  hoy  s«M  ryes  on,  ium*  a  Ict- 
Iher  ttt  all  to  say  he  was  ('on\iii}jj  for  his  own.  And 
Will,  draining  his  father  would  he  aliii  by  savapjes,  will 
iiades  conic,  out  to  sak(»  him;  and  he  niver  likin'  to  talk 
ahoul  him.  ISIavhc  your  honor  will  Ix^  excusiti*  his 
maimers,  in  rcijard  he  were  horn  in  Kn^jjland,  an<l  know- 
iufT  no  hetlher,  jxjor  hoy." 

l$y  in(|(iiri<'s  niadc:  of  Captain  Scruton,  Harold  learnt 
that  the  father  of  William  Arnelill'e  hud  heen  the  Knjj:- 
lish  valet  of  an  Irish  nobleman;  that  he  had  married 
the  prett}'  sister  of  Pc^rjjy  Maurice,  and,  with  his  snv- 
injjs,  had  returned  to  KufJiIand  to  commence  hiisitiess; 
but.  after  some  years  of  im|>rudence  and  cxtrava;2;ance, 
be  bad  brought  his  wif(^  to  her  sister  to  die,  and  left  his 
boy  to  live  on  the  j>oor  Irish  peasants,  till  bes  went  to 
(I'llifornia  in  the  sanguine  liope  of  making  another  for- 
tune. 

With  the  imjKM'fecf  education,  th<»  shyness,  and  the 
prejudices  of  an  English  boy  (»f  his  class,  William  pined 
in  his  aunt's  comfortless  cabin  for  two  years,  waiting  m 
vain  to  hoar  from  his  father;  and  when  poveily  com- 
pelled the  widow  JMauriee  and  her  family  to  emigrate, 
the  charity  of  the  benevolent  lady  who  ownW  their 
cabin  having  furnished  the  means,  the  poor  women,  in 
conij^assion  to  lh(>  unhapjiy  d(v>^erted  boy,  srdected  Cali- 
fornia as  their  destination,  that  he  might  accompany 
them,  in  tbe  forlorn  hope  of  discovering  the  fate  of  bis 
father. 

It  was  some  time  before  tlio  painful  reserve  of  tbe 
boy  gave  way  before  the  frank  kindness  of  Harold  Crof- 
ton.  and  be  was  induced  to  speak  of  himself  and  of  hia 
intentions,      li  had  been  the  wish  of  bis  fond  mothf^r  txj 


It 


OF    THK    ROCKY    MOUNTALNS. 


9 


bring  up  UfT  son  "  to  ji  trado ;"  and,  till  lie  was  tliirtoftn 
years  of  a^c,  she;  (lontiivcd  to  j)nK'Mi('  liirn  a  <i)niinon 
connlry-town  cdncation.  Tlicn  the,  rnin  of  his  lather 
and  tin-  fatal  sickness  of  his  inolhcr  drov(!  the  family  to 
8«'ok  a  sludtcr  arnonjj^  those  who  were  poorer  than  thern* 
selves.  The  total  want  of  eleaidiness,  the  disorder,  and 
the  destitution  of  the  widow's  eabin,  were  scareidy  njore 
re|>u<;Mant  to  the  taste  of  the  in<lid;;e(l  hoy,  lon«;  aeeus- 
\  tonied  to  a  home  of  compaialive  luxury,  than  to  Mrs. 
Arnclilfe,  weancsd,  by  fourteen  years  of  Erif^lish  com- 
I'orls,  from  the  ear(d(!ss  and  imthrifly  hahits  of  her  early 
days.  The  poor  woman  rapidly  sunk  amidst  lujr  priva- 
tions and  sorrows,  and  then  William  shrunk  with  still 
more  disgust  from  the  want  and  misery  that  surrounded 
him. 

"  Hut,  my  poor  boy,"  said  Mr.  Rodney,  roused  from 
his  studi(!.s  by  William's  tale  of  sorrow,  extorted  by  the 
f^ympathy  of  Harold,  "  why  did  you  not  fidfil  the  inten- 
tions of  your  pan^nts ;  why  did  you  not  return  to  Kn'^- 
land,  and  adopt  the  mode  of  life  they  had  planned  for 
you  ?  " 

"  It  W51S  no  longer  possible  for  me  to  attempt  it,  sir," 
said  the  boy.  "  Without  money,  without  fi'iends,  and 
without  any  knowledge  of  median ies  or  trade,  I  could 
not  obtain  a  living;  and  I  had  neither  the  wish  nor  the 
ability  to  become  a  servant." 

"  An  unpleasant  position,  certainly,"  murmured  Mr. 
Rodney.  "  Like  tlie  unjust  steward  of  Scripture,  you 
could  not  dig;  to  beg  yoi:  were  ashamed.  I  trust  that 
you  had  no  inclination,  like  him,  to  turn  to  dishonesty 
to  gain  a  livinnf." 

"  My  moth(jr  taught  me,  sir,"  re[died  William  indig- 
nantly, "  that  I  could  not  be  dishonest,  and  hope  to  see 
the  kingdom  of  God." 


10 


THE    BKAU-HL'NTERS 


"I  lienor  her  memv^r}, young  man,"  said  Mr.  Rodney 
**  But  I  am  concerned  ibr  you,  What  can  you  do  in 
California,  unused  as  you  are  to  labor  ?  " 

"  My  first  care  will  be,  air,"  answered  he,  "  to  seek 
out  my  father,  and  endeavor,  if  possible,  to  save  hira 
from  the  evil  life  of  the  gold-diggers.  Then  I  must  try, 
in  this  wide  new  world,  to  earn  the  means  of  8up[)ort- 
ing  myself,  and  those  dear  friends  who  helped  me  in  my 
need.  I  think,  sir,  a  young  man  may  do  ariy  thing  he 
likes,  if  he  means  to  do  it." 

"You  are  right,  William,"  said  Mr.  Rodney;  "try, 
and  persevere,  and  doubt  not  you  will  succeed.  Your 
aunt  seems  able  and  willing  to  work,  and  Mike  looks 
strong  and  active ;  but  that  pretty  young  girl  does  not 
appear  fitted  for  hard  labor." 

"  Mary  was  cook-maid  at  the  Castle,"  said  William ; 
"  but  the  kitchen-work  did  not  suit  her  healtli.  Then 
my  lady  tried  her  in  the  nursery ;  but  when  aunt  and 
old  Mr.  O'Reilly,  who  lodged  with  her,  agreed  to  emi- 
grate, and  Mary  heard  that  Mike  and  I  were  for  going 
out  too,  she  couldn't  settle  to  stay  behind ;  and  my  lady 
was  good  enough  to  pay  all  our  passage.  God  knows 
what  may  become  of  us ;  but  we  cannot  well  be  worse 
oft'  than  we  were  in   Ireland." 

"  And  Mr.  O'Reilly  keeps  up  his  school  on  the  voy- 
age, I  see,"  remarked  Mr.  Rodney. 

"  lie  is  not  |)leased  with  Mike,  sir,"  replied  William, 
"  because  he  goes  among  the  sailors,  when  he  ought  to 
be  minding  his  Latin  ;  but  Dick  Marlin,  the  carpenter 
teaches  him  carpenter-work,  and  climbing  ropes,  and 
swabbing,  and  such-like,  and  he  takes  to  any  thing.  T 
wish  I  was  like  him ;  but  I  always  feel  shy  among  the. 
rough  men,  they  swear  so  awfully,  and  scowl  on  me  if  I 
go  near,  as  i\"  I  was  an  intruder." 


OP  tup:  rocky  mountains. 


11 


A  f;;reat  noise  on  dock  drew  tli(;  qulel  party  fi-oin 
their  cabin.  Tlicy  found  tiio  mate  storming  and 
PwcarinfT,  and  Mike  held  up  by  his  friend  Diek 
Marlin,  looking  very  pale,  and  appearing  to  s^nfler 
pain.  William  hurried  to  his  cousin  to  inquire  what 
had  oc(;urred;  but  poor  Mike  was  unable  to  tell  him. 

"  Why  ye  see,  my  lad,"  said  Dick,  "  here  it  were 
This  here  meddling  young  rascal  were  at  his  monkey 
tricks,  climbing,  hibberly-like,  and  all  at  onc<;  he  losses 
his  head  and  falls  down  reet  on  yon  tar-bucket,  and 
upsets  it,  and  JNIr.  Sharplcy  there,  he  comes  in  for  a 
splash.  With  that,  it  angers  him  ;  and  he  catches  up 
a  marlin-spike,  and  handles  the  lad  a  bit  roughly.  1 
reckon  his  arm's  lamed  badly,  and  ye'd  better  carry 
him  to  your  women,  and  let  them  doctor  him  a  bit." 

"Is  there  no  surgeon  in  the  ship?"  asked  Mr. 
Rodney. 

*'  Surgeon  ! "  repeated  the  mate,  insolently.  "  It's 
hjiidly  like  a  surgeon  could  be  kept  out  of  what  yon 
beggarly  troof)  pays.  He'd  have  a  rice  life  among  'em  ; 
for  they're  fighting  from  morn  till  nigln." 

"You  had  no  right  to  strike  my  cousin  so  cruelly," 
said  William,  much  agitated  at  the  sight  of  the  boy'vS 
distress. 

"  It  was  a  brutal  act,"  said  Harold.  "  I  shall  innne- 
diately  complain  to  Captain  Scruton  of  the  unwarrant- 
able and  unfeeling  conduct  of  his  officer." 

The  man  laughed  scornfully  as  he  said,  "  I  'd  like  to 
iiear  what  he  says  to  your  complaints  and  your  high 
words.  You  paid  your  passage,  and  you  get  your 
passage.  What  more  would  you  have?  What  have 
Bach  as  you  to  do  with  the  government  of  the  ship? 
filind  your  own  business,  and  keep  your  own  place." 


12 


TiiK  hi:au-iii;nti:k8 


CIIAVTEU     II. 

The  Cni)tiiin  in  his  niliiii.  —  A  Visit  to  tlie  Stecrugj  pasHcn^orR. 
Dii'ii's  tVitM\<liy  Aniuip'iiu'iils.  —  Itiid  Weather   im  I    Short   Com 
mons.  —  A  Fatal  CJuIc.  —  llrouliorH  in  wigiit. — The  I.a.uiing. 


While  William  h-d  Mike  to  liis  iiiollirr,  lljiroUl 
bont  ilia  way  to  the  ctiptain's  ctibin,  I'ullowed  by  Mr. 
Rodney,  who    was    rather    apprehensive    that    the    im- 


petuosity ot"  his  pupil  mij^ht  lead  to  misehi(;f.     Captain 
Seruloii     listened    with    tipathy     to     the    eomplaint    of 


P.Ir.    Crotlon    aijainst    his    mate,   and    eo 


)hlly 


rep 


lied. 


that  he  never  interfered  with  Shjirpley's  injuia<^ement 
of  tlu;  emi<»i"!U»t  passengers  ;  they  were  jui  uiu'idy  set, 
and  paid  badly  ;  it  was  the  livst,  time  he  would  (ill 
up  his  ship  with  sueli  troublesome  ballast.  It  was 
likely  to  b(^  a  long  voyage ;  the  wind  was  alwiiys  con- 
trary ;  he  was  an  unlueky  man,  and  always  lost  more 
than  he  gained  by  his  trips. 

"  Truly,  Captain  Seruton,"  answered  Croi'ton,  "  your 
vessel  seems  to  be  in  a  e;azy  condition;  your  carpen- 
ters are  always  repairing  damages; ;  but  that  is  not  the 
present  question ;  I  must  insist  on  your  olfieer  treating 
these  poor  emigrants  with  humanity ;  and  if  I  hear 
more  complaints,  I  shall  seek  justice  when  we  reach 
San  Francisco." 

"  I  wisb  you  may  find  it,"  said  Seruton.  "  In  San 
Francisco  you  '11  find  ev»»ry  man  is  thinking  of  himself, 
AiW  how  be  is  to  make  his  own  fortune.      They've  no 


^T-'.:^ 


OK    TIIK    IKtCKY    MOIJNTAINH. 


18 


lour 
ithe 


telf, 
no 


timv  (or  courts  of  Imvv  ami  asMizrs,  and  sn('-li-lih« 
Eii;j;llsli  luiisaiiccH.  When  lliiiipjs  f;«!t  wr()ii;jj,  nu'ii  try 
to  ri;^lil  tli(!m  as  liwy  can;  if  tlicy  miss,  it\s  liirir  own 
fault.  Tlierc's  no  misiakc,  Sliarplcy  Ir  a  temper;  nnd 
I'd  advis('  you  to  lot  liiui  he,  or  he'll  not  lor^^ist  it.  lie 
bullies  nie  wlieu  his  blood  is  up." 

"Then  why  do  you  bring  out  such  a  brutal  fellow?" 
said  Croft  on. 

"Ilfi's  not  without  his  good  points,"  answ<!t*ed 
Scrliton  ;  "  he's  a  good  sailor,  picks  U[)  passengers,  and 
managfvs  them  clevei'Iy,  though  it's  true  he's  not  liked, 
lint  what  then  ?  I  get  him  cheap,  and  I'd  not  like  to 
change  him." 

Ci'ofton  was  highly  indignant  with  the  mean-spirited 
captain,  and  would  have  (lontimied  to  [»lead  for  Mike, 
but  Mr.  Rodney  drew  him  away  from  the  hopeless 
task  ;  and  they  proceeded  to  visit  the  crowded  den, 
where,  stretched  on  a  mattress  in  one  cormu*,  they 
foimd  the  poor  boy,  his  weeping  mother  bathing 
his  bruised  arm  with  the  rum  which  Dick  had 
procured  for  her.  The  tumult  of  sweaiing  men, 
scoldirjg  women,  and  screaming  children  —  the  closeness, 
the  fdt hiness,  and  the  stench  of  the  place,  sickened 
the  two  charitable  visitors ;  and  when  Rodney  had 
ascertained  that  the  arm  was  not  broken,  and  had 
given  the  woman  some  prudent  directions  about  the 
treatment,  he  said  to  the  peoj)le,  "  My  good  friends, 
would  it  not  tend  more  to  the  peace  and  comfort  of  all 
if  you  were  to  be  quiet  and  orderly ;  if  you  were  to 
clean  out  this  Pandemonium,  and  to  employ  yourselvea 
usefully  ?** 

A  burst  of  rude  laughtei*  and  oaths  was  the  answer, 
and  William   said^  "  Please  don't   say  any   more,  sir  j 

9 


u 


IHK    BKAR-nUNTKR3 


Pii"^ 


'I 


they're  a  bad  set,  and  they'll  only  behave  worse  to  us 
if  they  think  we  have  fine  friends.  I'm  very  sorry 
that  poor  aunt  and  Mary  have  to  live  among  such 
wretehes." 

"  We  can  let  John  have  a  corner  of  our  cabin,"  said 
Harold  ea<j;crly;  "that  is — I  beg  your  j>ardon,  Rod- 
ney —  if  you  don't  object  to  the  honest  fellow  sleeping 
there ;  then  those  poor  people  can  have  his  cabin  to 
themselves." 

JMr.  Rodney  hesitated  and  sighed,  but  he  was  of 
easy  teni[)er  and  kind  heart,  and  he  consented  that 
Harold's  servant  should  occupy  a  spare  bei'th  in 
the  state  cabin,  as  it  was  pom})ously  termed ;  and  the 
Irish  family,  with  the  old  schoolmaster,  gratefully 
exchanged  the  pestilential  den  of  the  emigrants  for 
John's  small  but  clean  cabin,  which  contained  berths 
for  all.  Here  Mike's  arm  was  soon  restored  to 
St;  ngth ;  and  as  he  was  forbidden  to  intrude  among 
the  sailors  again,  it  was  here  that  Dick  Marlin 
came  to  visit  the  boy,  to  chatter  with  the  women,  and 
to  entertain  them  with  long  yarns  of  sea  adventures, 
or  the  recital  of  the  monotonous  transactions  of  the 
day. 

"  JNIany's  the  deck  I've  trod,"  said  he  one  evening ; 
"but  sudi  a  heap  of  rotten  timmers  as  this,  I  were 
never  rated  on  afore.  It's  my  mind  that  we'se  hardly 
weather  the  Cape.  One  leak  after  another  breaks  out, 
and  a  reg'lar  sea  would  rive  her  to  shivers.  Its  a 
downright  sin,  it  is,  to  stow  a  lot  of  poor  creatures  on 
such  a  craft ;  and  I'll  answer  for  him  he's  insured  her 
for  a  bonny  deal  more  nor  she's  worth.  But,  lads,  I've 
set  my  mind  on  a  sound  boat,  and  have  fettled  her  up 
1  bit ;  and  when  it   comes  to  a  smash,  why  I'se  launch 


OF    TIIK    ROCKY    MO  I' NT  A  INS. 


IS 


her,  and  make  room  lor  you  folks.  It'.-*  a  bad  joh  you 
noiu!  on  you  can  liandlo  an  oar,  lor  I'se  need  a  comrade, 
and  I'd  not  lik'3  to  say  a  word  to  any  of  our  fellows,  or 
I'd  have  all  the  lot  on  me." 

"  If  you  think  it  likely  we  sliould  be  driv«'n  to  such 
an  extremity,"  said  William,  "  I  know  that  one  of  the 
gentlemen  in  the  state  cabin,  who  has  been  so  kind  to 
us,  can  row,  a^l  well  as  his  servant.  I\Ir.  Crofton  has  a 
yacht  and  boats  of  his  own,  ji  vl  is  half  a  sailor.  I 
should  not  like  any  danger  to  come  to  him.  Couldn't 
you  take  him  in  too?" 

"  Ay,  ay,  boy,"  answered  Dick,  "  we've  room  enough 
for  two  or  three  decent  fellows ;  but  you  '11  let  him  know 
he'll  have  to  rough  it,  and  not  expect  us  to  take  off 
our  hats  and  say 'sir' at  every  word;  and  I  say,  lad, 
tell  him  to  keep  all  snug,  and  not  be  so  free  with  his 
tongue.  Sharpley  would  like  nothing  better  nor  to 
batten  down  t'hatchway  and  keep  him  close  in  his 
cabin,  if  he'd  an  inkling  we  meant  to  be  off.  He's  just 
a  born  rogue,  and  a  dirty  spy,  and  a  mean,  unhanged 
rascal."  Dick  added  this  in  a  low  tone,  looking  suspi- 
ciously at  the  door ;  then  turning  to  Mary,  he  continued 
—  "And  Mary,  honey,  just  keep  out  on  his  way,  will 
ye ;  he'd  be  a  bad  bargain  for  any  decent  lass,  foi  by 
his  having  a  wife  at  Portsmouth  and  another  at  Liver- 
pool, to  my  knowledge."  Mary  bridled  at  the  idea  of 
tiie  mate's  pretensions  to  her  favor;  a  m:in  that  had 
behaved  so  ill  to  her  brother ;  though  certainly  of  late 
he  had  taken  every  opportunity  to  make  a  rude  court- 
ship of  the  pretty  neat  Irish  girl. 

"  Sure,  Mr.  Marlin,"  said  she,  "you'll  not  be  thinking 
as  we  will  be  drowned  in  this  same  dirty  ship,  and  we 
oiver  bavin'  time  nor  place  to  say  cur  prayers,  before 


IB 


riiK   iiirAi'.  lit  N  n  KN 


Mr.    ('ioOmm,   lln>    l.oni    li|i<ss   liiin   Inr    llnit 


Miiinr,   \iiM 


^rivm 


}.\   Us     ll 


IIS  own    minis  riilnii,  mill   ti   mil*'  i|mm'|    inoiii 


il  is  Mlloi^t'ttiiM.  Wori'fi  I  lull  uoii'l  it  Ih<  n  IimkI  lliiti^ 
\o  Im>  t|in\vM(>tl  tlnitl  ill  !i  rori'iii  snv.  mihI  MiIm<  mmiI 
Will  nivrr  liirmn'  lo  swim,  iiimr's  llit>  pilv,  nml  mn;,  Im 
Mr.  Miiilm,  il's  a  Imi;;  wmv  oM'  «|  will  Im'  In  illir^'  IiumI. 
\N  liMlll  my  poor  loollicr  he  tloiiijr,  ocli,  lioiio  ?  " 

Mmiv    wrpl    lor  rxi'iylnulv    hut    licrsrll",   till    Mik«>    in 

•  I  ft  • 

{\\o  \\\[{\o  ol  lii^  m<wly-mM|iiir("(l  ii.uiiicnl  luiowlcdgc, 
oomlortnl  Imm'  witli  llio  assiiniiKM*  lliat  ii  ImhiI  wms  ih 
f;oo«i  MS  II  Icalvv  sliip  Miiy  diiy,  and  Dirk  IMarlin  was  a 
Ih'IIov  si'Minan  llian  Sliar|ilry. 

I'lidiT  llu'  |»l«'df»;««  «>('  x'lMiM'v,  Wiiliiim  fommiiiiiralnl 
to  Ins  (Vioiwls  in  lh(>  stale  «'alnn  Miirliir.s  siis|  .cioiis  mid 
ananjiomiMils.  C'rofton  Ian;;lmd  al  llio  idra  of  daii^fr 
in  siu'li  I'alin  wcallicr,  and  llionii,lil  Dick's  in\r(li\rs 
against  llio  ship  \\v\v  chiclly  ofoasioiM'd  by  liis  avrrsittii 
lo  Sli.'U"i>N'v  ;  \ov  lu)  man,  inrrtdy  lor  llu«  sake  ol"  makiii'' 
money,  w«>iiM   risk    llie   lives  of  so   many  ol'  liis   leljow- 


orealnres.  am 


I    al 


»o\  e 


lis    ow 


n    I  ill 


III 


:ii    niisare 


vessel.  And  in  lael  tliey  rounded  the  dreaded  Cape 
suooesst'nlly,  thoiiLjh  etMlainly  ol'len  driven  hack,  and 
delayeii  so  lonj;  that  llie  pro\  isions  ol'  ihe  ship  heeaino 
low,  and  llu>  poor  <Mnii:;rants  who  lived  on  their  own 
stores  wiM(*  almost  lamished.  'Tht^  Manriee  family, 
who  iiail    he<M\   more    provident    ami    more  e<'ononiieal 


(I 


lan    llie    res 


I,    had     sli 


neal    and     haeoii,    and     tl 


10 


charitable  widow  ol'len  heslow(>d  on  tlu^  hair-staiv«'d 
women  and  ehildren  a  b«)wl  ol"  st irabonl.  Crorioii  and 
Hodney,  who  dim'*!  al  the  eaplain's  lahle,  had  eerlainl)' 
private  stores  oi'  wine  and  other  luxuries;  bnl  iheso 
were  not  of  a  nature  to  alVoril  reli(>f  to  the  destitnlo. 
But  ^en  at'ter  weath'-ring  Cape   Horn,  the  voyn;;ing 


f»r     I  UK.    IMM'K  Y     MMIN  I  AIN« 


WHM  (lilDnill  ;  fill'  wrnllifT  Iht(iiih'  imm'oi'IhIii  ;  \)\ry  \\*>r^ 
iillrniiitrly  ili'lnyil  i)V  niltiiM,  iin<l  iliiv«<ii  nlioiit  liy  mii|« 
lien  ^mI«h,  wliirli  llii<  rvt\/.y  vrH-4«'|  roiiltl  ill  hIiiihI,  mimI 
wIimIi  '^jilil  tlip  s|tiii-M,  mikI  I'I'IiI  |Ii<<  worn  rtiiiviH  lo  i'ii^-< 
DnV  Mllfi-  Any  |tiH^n|,  jh  (Imv  vmi*'  (fiKM»|  on  llio 
ItonliliMl  Hcii,  rvrry  diiy  r<'n<l<M'iii}j;  lli)'ir  Mitniilion  mioki 
iM'tiloiH,  iin<l  llif  (lilYlrnlly  of  romin^  to  linrlior  morn 
liii/iir<lon\  till  Ml  lrn;.'tli  lli<<  liinul  iohI  slow  (!M|itiiiri 
Scrnlon  wmh  loiioij  to  lninf  ihr  ill  linnioi  ol  his  ni>il(% 
ntxl  Ink)'  lii-«   pliirr. 


W 


ric  ft  riiiinly  nuikin;^  iiii  iMH'otimionly  lonji;  voy(»j^<« 


of  llii-t,  ('ii|ilnin  Scrnlon,"  siiid  ('rohon,  jih  tliry  sl»(o«| 
Hiixioii-tly  on   tIrcK.      "  VVIml    is  join    old    '^lii|)   nlioiit?" 

♦'  Mllif  voyu<!;<'  If  loii^'cr  tliiin  wr  mlnihilcd,  tlic  hnw 
will   Im-  miiM',"  )iiHVvrr<'d  Srnilon    Inilly. 

♦'  I  don't  nllo;r(-|||(.r  uijvrt-  willi  yon,  (!)i|ilMin  S«inlf>n,'* 
fjiid    Mr.  Hodnry.      '•  Willi  iMJllicr   lifKh  nM;i(,  poultry, 

•  vriicinldcM  r<'nniinin<r,  nnd  willi  foul  wjiNr,  w*-  Mr»i 
"Mijdrdlyon  |)ri-*(<iM'rH' nllow^ln(■•^  I'or  llif  «xIimv  jt;i[!int 
Hiiin  we  paid,  \\v  <r«'i-tjiinly  liad  a  ri^dil  l(»  *'Xp('(t  IxtlfT 
fan'." 


All 


coniii 


laini,' 


H   urc.    iiscjrsK   now,   p^fntK-nwri,    sau 


fl« 


(1 


('aptain   S«*riil(»n    iinpalicnily.      *'  I    pro\  isioruul    (or   lli»! 


usual    voya;^*'  ; 


how   could    I    CorcHiM'.  Kticli    rnis(orfnrif*< 


conliniicd  contrary  winds;  and  vexations  leaks  sprino^- 
in;;,  wlicii  I  depended  on  Sliarplcy  to  hc.c.  flif;  Ni/f/f/ff. 
Koiind  ?  hut  hIic  is  sln^'':;i>h  thin  trip.      I  can't  say  wiiat's 


conic    over    her 


(;od 


seiH 


I    I 


Ina 


HM\!£    tier  "a 


ife    t 


o 


harlxir!      I  shall   l«)sc   by  this  voya;:;e  any  way.      I  innsi 

lose,   hy    it,    I    se«;  ;    and Now    then  I    what'i^    aloft 

ther,;?" 

A  treruendous  crash  called  every  f)no,  to   tin;  spot    fc 
v,*',  thiit  the  inizen-niasf  had   Ix^en  ,shiv«;n,d   by  the  ;i^Hh, 


1    1 1  •": — 
I'    I  ■ 


m«w 


18 


THK    BKAIMIINTKHfl 


iV 


M 


and  had  fiillcri  on  drck,  caiisinj'  imi  -li  disn-frr  and  con 
fusion,  wliit'h  the  fury  of  tlu*  Ral«  scarcely  permitted 
tluMH  to  altcnd  to,  or  to  rrctif'y.  TIk*  imnalirnt  nuitn 
WHS  staiupiii;^,  and  cursinj^  the  men ;  two  liad  hern 
fitriK  k  by  ihe  I'all  of  tlie  nuisi,  and  the  rest  were  so  up- 
|»all('d  by  the  accident,  as  to  be,  lor  a  few  moments,  in- 
eapaiiU.'  of  attending  to  <bify.  The  groans  of  one  of  iho 
men,  who  was  seriously  injured,  so  irritated  the  unfeel- 
innj  Sharph'V,  that  he  spurned  tlie  sufferer  vioK'utly 
with  his  foot;  the  ship  at  that  moment,  struck  by  a 
heavy  sea,  hirched  so  (hm^erously,  that  all  tli«)n;j;ht  de- 
struction inevitable,  an<l  the  helpless  wounded  man,  and 
two  sailors  who  wei'c  en<j:au:ed  in  cuttinj'  awav  the  ham- 
per  of  fallen  ropes  and  }ards,  were  swept  into  Ihe  foam- 


mp:  waves. 


"  Put  out  a   boat,   for   Hod's   sake,"   cried    Crofton 
"Try  to  save  tlu'se  unfortunate  men." 

"  A  boat,  you  fool !  "  cried  Sharpley.  "  Who  would 
launch  a  boat  in  a  sea  like  this?  " 

The  anxiety  of  Crofton  was  so  fjreat,  that  he  would 
himself  have  leaped  into  the  sea  to  assist  the  men,  had 
not  his  prudent  friend  arrested  him,  and  pointed  out  the 
futility  of  the  attemjit  in  that  formidable  sea. 

"  The  poor  fellows  are  hopelessly  lost,"  added  he ; 
"all  human  aid  is  now  vain." 

"  They  might  throw  out  ropes  or  buoys.  Surely 
pomethino;  could  be  done,"  said  Harold. 

Put  nothing  was  done,  except  that  Dick  quietly 
shoved  overboard  an  empty  cask  ;  but  the  impetuous 
south-west  wind  soon  carried  it  away  beyond  the  reach 
of  the  sufferers,  if  even  they  had  been  able  to  grasp  it ; 
but  they  were  never  seen  from  the  moment  they  were 
engulfed,  and    umidst    the    distraction    of   the    tempest 


1  II: 


^sn«fc?J-- 


OF   THE    UOCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


1« 


MPm^I  to  be  forgotten  l»y  all  but  Crnilon  mid  Rod- 
iiey. 

Ni^lit  cnino  on  dark  ainl  totnpcstiioiiH ;  tlici  disabled 
vessel  flew  before  the  wind,  her  tattered  Hails  Htill 
tiappin*;  on  the  roekin;^  masts  from  whence  it  was 
vain  to  attempt  to  lower  them.  Fear  reigiied  in  (ivery 
heart ;  the  desperately  wicked  fallowed  it  by  terrible 
oaths  and  imprcn-ations,  tin;  less  hardened  worked  in 
silence  and  trepidation,  and  the  pious  and  thoiiglittul 
nmonji;  the  poor  emigrants,  now  all  gathered  on  deck, 
clinging  to  each  other  in  agony,  prayed  audibly  for  help 
and  mercy. 

As  ea(th  succeeding  wave  tore  away  some  timber,  or 

ept  over  the  decks,  currying  off  th(^  lighter  articles, 
Scruton  groaned  in  distraction.  "  It  is  ruin,  Mr.  Crof- 
ton,"  he  cried,  "absolute  ruin!  The  Ntujijet  is  my 
own,  I  invested  the  savings  of  my  life  in  this  trip,  and 
now  I  may  not  save  a  platik  of  her." 

"  You  surely  arc  not  thinking  now  of  the  worthless 
planks  of  the  vessel.  Captain  Scruton,"  said  Crofton, 
"  when  all  these  precious  human  lives  are  at  stake." 

"  It  is  your  first  duty.  Captain  Scruton,"  added  Rod- 
ney, "to  endeavor  to  save  the  lives  intrusted  to  you,  as 
well  as  your  own." 

But  the  man,  whose  soul  was  in  his  money,  seemed 
to  regard  life  {\s  but  a  secondary  consideration ;  he 
walked  about,  appealing  fretfully  to  Shaipley,  till  at 
length  the  mate  told  him,  without  ceremony,  to  get  to 
his  cabin  and  leave  him  to  manage.  And  now  a  new 
terror  assailed  the  experienced  sailors,  who  plainly  dis- 
tinguished the  sound  of  breakers  dashing  against  a  rocky 
coast.  To  be  thrown  against  those  fatal  rocks  would 
be  a  terrible  fate,  nor  did   they  see  how  it  could   be 


il 


i! 


IT 
! 

1 

r 

"  • 

-"\^ 

'I           •' 

■ 

M 


t 


to 


THE    BEAU-HUNTERS 


averted,  for  the  tempest  still  continued  to  rage,  the 
rudder  had  been  torn  away,  and  the  ship  was  unman* 
ageable.  It  appeared  impossible  lo  make  soundings  in 
that  raging  sea,  but  the  appalling  sound  of  the  breakers 
was  plainer  heard,  as  hour  after  hour  they  were  drifted 
furiously  on. 

As  long  as  the  perplexing  darkness  continued,  it  was 
vain  to  attempt  looking  out  for  the  much-dreaded 
land ;  at  length  as  the  first  dim  light  appeared,  a 
violent  shock  prostrated  all  on  board,  and  it  was  soon 
discovered  that  the  ship  was  immovably  wedged 
among  rocks.  The  faint  light  now  disclosed  to  them 
a  bare  and  lonely  coast,  guarded  by  sharp  and  rugged 
rocks ;  and,  dismal  as  it  looked,  the  sole  hope  of  life 
for  those  on  the  vessel  was  ilie  chance  of  attaining  that 
shore,  for  no  human  means  could  extricate  the  doomed 
ship.  The  waves  dashed  furiously  against  the  crazy 
hulk,  already  the  water  was  rising  rapidly  in  the  hold, 
and  now  Scruton,  intent  on  saving  as  much  property  as 
he  could,  ordered  out  the  boats,  and  hurried  to  his  cabin 
to  collect  all  his  valuable  [)apers  and  money. 

No  sooner  was  the  first  boat  launched  than  the 
greater  part  of  the  crew  recklessly  leaped  into  it  and 
rowed  off,  regardless  of  the  shrieks  of  the  emigrants, 
the  remonstrances  of  Rodney  and  Croft  on,  and  the 
orders  and  imprecations  of  the  mate,  who  was  prr- 
dently  bringing  up  stores  and  arms.  But  the  wretched 
sailors  had  been  drinking  during  the  confusion  that 
reigned  in  the  night;  they  were  now  unruly  and  con- 
tentious ;  and  amidst  their  strife,  before  the  fearfully- 
tossed  boat  had  made  a  hundred  yards  from  the  ship, 
it  was  capsized  and  swamped.  Two  of  the  men  only 
were  seen  to  rise  and  grasp  the  boat,  which  thej  sue- 


"'    ^"'^    "O^"^-    MOUNTAINS.  J, 

recovered  >l,eir  oar,,  for  tZl   T       "PP.-'ronll^-    |„,,ve 
<h.=  shore.  '        "'"^  ~'""""^J  lo  pull  towards 

"  We'll  follow  them  "  siM  <5i       > 

^re,  when  we  land,  si,;!!  beL    'f'    '^'  "'■'"''  ""^  fi™* 
mutinous  dogs."  ^«  '«  Wow  out  il,eir  brains,  _ 

"Js    it    committino-    miiiv7«».  ,, 

f  ^j  •      saia    Dennis.     <'  Tl.o   t      3    •  »    -^^^r. 

•""  ■'"-e:   .sure  wouldn't  we  «  st  K  1,  '"?.'  ''■'•'•'''''<'" 
I'le-ecl  land  and  tl.ankin.  uL't^         *""''"'«  '^"    ""-' 
"What    are    von    n  ':.™ '"'^«"""g  our  lives?" 

foot   upon  land    before  you    ,of    .         ^'"  >'«"  S'^^  your 

^^-t'll  hardly  be  yet  a  bU.     ZreZuT\   T"^'^^"^'^^«'- 
stores  into  the  lonrr.boat."  "^  '  ^"'''^''  ^^'^se 

"We  go  witli  you,  Mr.  Sharnlov  "      •  i  r.     . 
^"^^y-     ''John,  put  in  the  bagl^'"   "'  '^"'^"  ^^- 

The    mate    turned   «    f.      •'^ 

-- »".  his  dete:i-  ed':::",,:*  r  '"^  ^"""'" 

or  some  other  pow-erful    J„r  ■'"^''"  "'   '"'»  rifle, 

opposing  the  all.:;::'  ort'err;""  "■•■"  '■™" 

Iheir  propertj.     In  «   ,|,„,,    ,     """    Passengers   and 
'e«edwhatsee.„edlLvt„>  r"'^'"""'^  '""'   ™'- 

captain,  the  surl,  n,a,  'C  aVdl T'  "'^'  "*-" 
--ining  on  board,  ^ith  L  1  Crlft"  "'""'  "'"'"' 
were  in  the  boat.  "^""ey,  Crofton,  and  John, 

'he  poor  people  "  "'  ""^'  '•«""•"  -"or  -he  rest  of 


8S 


THK    lUrAR-IHN  riUS 


phonld  1)0  Ronl  Cor,  ittiil  CroOoM  oonfiiiiw'tl  llip  imsiir* 
RmM»,  hy  promi-iitij;  lo  look  Ml'ln-  tlicir  rosfiic  ;  tliofij^li 
\\o  WHS  couviiuMMl  \\o  slioiild  Iimv«>  Momc  Iroiililr,  for 
(Iio   inalo  cnirtl    no  more   lor  llu'   propN*    lliiui   il"   llM'y 


hfi<l    1)('<'M    {'i\\\\i 


VUi'    scii    Hiill    coiititiiiiMl    liirliiilnit, 


l)iit  tli«>  hoiil  \Ytr^  stout  iukI  linn,  and  llii>  mm  now 
liiboroil  rnrncsily,  lor  (iioir  iivcM  (lt'|K'n<I<'(i  on  llwir 
I'xcrlions  ;  luul  ^rMdiiMJIv  IIh  y  drew  ncnr  llio  ItMircn, 
iVowninir  ('oasl.  Hut  when  llicy  rnloit'd  jiinon^  I  he 
bn\'d\('rs  on  \\\o  rrvvM  cliain  ol'  rocks  llial  ^iinrdcd  iIh5 
co:»sl,  the  lioal  was  wliirlrd  round,  and  bruised  aj^ainst 
IIkmu  li'atrnily,  till  a  sudden  jn;ns(  of  wind  loiecd  it 
fhrouoh  Mu  opcniu}!;  uilh  sucli  rapidily,  llial  ('fol'lon, 
ing    up,    rndeavorinjj;    willi    an    oar     lo 


WHO    was    s 


tandi 


avorl  the  violeueo  ol'  the  repeated  shoeks,  was  thrown 
ovorboai'd,  anil  nnisl  have  perished  ni  tlie  wliirl|>"o|, 
had  n«>t  I)i*'k,  seiziuij;  a  iop<»  in  one  hand,  leaped  into 
the  water,  and  (liniiinir  \\w  end  to  Crol'lon,  who  cauiiht 
il,  iuad(»  alU'i"  tlie  b«)at,  swinnniiifj;  with  one,  hand,  and 
holdinj!;  {\\o  vo\)o  with  tho  othei-.  Sliarpley  would  not 
allow  (he  rowers  to  rest  till  llu'  two  swinnners  catno 
up;  but  made  ihtMU  pull  to  llwi  narrow  stony  beach 
that  lay  IxMU'alh  iVij^hirid  jaij:^ed  rocks,  lie,  lan;^hed  at 
tlu>  struiiglt^s  of  (he  almost  exhausted  men,  and  when 
the  boat  was  linally  tlrawn  ashore  he  was  eaieless  of 
their  fate. 

But,  providendally,  both  were  practised  8winun(M\s; 
and  though  Ilandd  had  received  a  severe  blow  on  lii.s 
toot  when  (brown  against  (he  rocks,  which  weak<Mied 
his  endeavors,  he  grasped  (he  rope  (irmly,  kept  him- 
seir  a(loa{  with  otie  hand,  and  was  drawn  ushore  by 
Dick,  (hough  in  a  state  of  great  exhaustion.  Mr 
Rodney  was    ready  to    nyceive    (hem   with  a    llask  of 


f)ir     IIIK    UOCKf     M<M!NIAINR. 


2R 


hrnmly  to  ivvivo  tliirn.  II*'  »'XJuriin»(l  Iljirold's  foot, 
which  WJIH  hniisci!  niwl  wronchrd,  (ill  \u}  wax  <|iii(ii 
itx'iipahln  of  nsiiit/  it  ;  hut  af  no  hotx-s  w»'i<«  fM*»kofj, 
the  atixioii»  giiuidiaii  hoped  thnt  ii  liItU;  rest  would 
rentoro  liitn. 


0 


'-t'^r 


14 


rnK    nKAK-llUNTKIlB 


CIIAPTKR     111. 

The  Cnptnin  and  liis  Mute— Tlic  Last  Trip.— The  Fate  cf  tli«  KinJ- 
grants. — The  Wrork  of  tlio  Nu(](jcL — Dreary  I'ro.spccts. — Cui)tain 
Scruton'e  Ruling  l'a.<Jsion. 


•*. 


"  NoAV,  Captain  Scrutoii,"  said  Harold,  as  soon  as  lie 
could  speak, —  "  now,  that  you  have  unladen  her,  you 
will  send  hack  (ho  boat  to  bring  off  your  unfortunate 
passengers." 

"  I  am  quite  aware  that  suo.h  is  my  duty,  Mr.  Crofton," 
answered  he  ;  "  a  perilous  and  awkward  duty  it  is.  Mr. 
Sharpley,  what  do  you  say  ?  " 

"  Say  is  it,  captain  ?  "  said  the  man.  "  Then  1  say, 
let  well  alone.  What  for  are  we  to  run  the  risk  of 
losing  our  boat? — it's  stove  in  already  with  beating 
against  yon  reefs.  And  what  for  are  we  to  be  sending 
out  good  hands  after  a  herd  of  roaring  Irish  cattle  ? 
What  for  are  we  to  fetch  them  oil',  to  eat  up  our  stores 
and  brawl  and  light,  and  likely  bring  the  Indians  on 
us,  and  we  not  safe  that  they'd  not  make  off  with  the 
boat  itself,  when  it's  our  last  chance  of  getting  away 
Irom  these  coast  cannibals  ?  Jicave  them  to  die  qui- 
etly yonder  ;  it's  as  good  an  end  as  they're  likely  to 
make." 

Captain  Scruton  looked  at  Rodney  and  Crofton, 
troubled  and  undecided. 

"Do  you  hesitate,  Captain  Scruton?"  said  Harold. 
**  Are  you  the  commander,  or  is  yom*  mate  ?     Surely, 


OK    Tlir.    KOCKY    M<H  NTAIVH. 


25 


«> 


)t'ton, 


yon  <1()  not  mean  to  yield  to  liin  imjiist,  illegal,  and  l»'i«e 
romiscl. 

"  No,  no  !  "  n'|>li('<l  Sciiilon  Inn  ricdly  ;  "  wo  n)iist 
fry.  T  put  tlio  Ixuit  into  yonr  liand>>,  Mr.  (■rofton; 
only  I  l»e«r  you  to  hr.  carrfiil  of  her;  and  if  yon  can 
indnce  any  of  tin;  nu-n  to  volnntecr  to  man  her — you 
SCO  it's  extra  dniy,  I  cannot  order  them,  I'm  not 
afloat " 

"  Hnt  I  can  pay  them,"  said  Crofton.  "Come,  my 
brav(!  fellows,  which  of  you  will  go  with  me  to  bring  off 
yon  poor  wr«'tches  ?  " 

Two  of  tin;  sailors,  at  the  sight  of  Croflon's  gold, 
agreed  to  accompany  him,  and  Dick  Marlin,  actuated  a? 
well  by  his  friendship  for  the  INIanrice  family,  as  by  a 
spark  of  humanity  ;iol  quite  extinguished  among  his 
evil  associates,  ghnlly  made  a  fourth  in  the  boat.  John 
had  bruised  his  hand  in  the  last  voyage,  and  was  out  of 
condition.  Mr.  Hodney  b<>sought  Harold,  who  had 
actually  to  be  carried  to  the  boat,  to  remain  ashore; 
but  he  feared  the  men  would  fail  to  fulfil  tluiir  duty  if 
lie  were  not  there  to  enforce  obedience,  and  he  persisted 
in  accompanying  tlu^m  ;  and  once  more  the  boat,  a  good 
deal  the  worse  for  its  passage  through  the  reef,  was 
hmnched  on  the  still  agitated  sea. 

As  the  boat  drew  near  the  wreck,  the  cries  and 
pcreams  of  the  people  left  on'it  were  deafening,  and  the 
struggle  to  be  first  to  embark  was  tremendous.  Somf 
of  the  men  were  fighting  madly  to  secure  a  forward 
position,  and  b<>fore  the  boat  could  reach  them,  two  were 
thrown  overboard  and  perished, 

"  Pull  off,  lads,"  said  Dick    "  if  we  drnvv  up  just  noTf 

these  desperate  fellows  will   crowd  in,  till  we  shall  be 

swamped.      It's  plain  we  cannot  carry  all  off,  and  the 

3 


f 


,'  .V 


I     i 


■I      # 


J„, 

1    ti 

ml, 
■if 

■ 

1 

20 


THE    BEAR-IIUNTKUS 


old  Nitgifct  is  at  her  last.  It's  odd^  sh(;'ll  hold  logclhef 
till  we  make  another  trii)." 

Croflon  saw  the  emergency,  and,  standing  up  m  the 
boat,  he  drew  a  pistol  from  his  belt ;  which,  as  it  had 
been  there  when  he  was  in  the  water,  was  not  in  a  con- 
dition to  do  much  damage,  but  it  answered  his  purpose. 
He  called  out,  "  The  first  man  that  attempts  to  enter 
the  boat  without  my  permission  I  shoot  through  the 
head.     Lower  down  the  women  and  children." 

Groans  and  curses  were  poured  out;  but  the  most 
rational  amongst  them  saw  tlu;  prudence  of  compliance, 
and  the  trembling  women  and  screaming  children,  with 
old  Dennis  and  his  two  boy  pupils,  were  admitted,  who 
filled  the  boat;  and  the  rowers  hastily  pulled  off  from 
the  perishing  hulk,  amidst  the  despairing  yells  of  those 
left  behind,  for  whom,  however,  Harold  promised  to 
send  back  the  boat. 

But  they  were  already  overladen  ;  the  boat,  which 
had  been  injured  by  the  former  trip,  novv  leaked  so 
much  that  they  could  not  bale  the  water  out  so  fast  as 
it  came  in.  They  endeavored  to  stop  the  leak  with  the 
shawls  of  the  women,  but  the  heavy  surge  soon  forced 
out  the  plug ;  and  even  Harold  began  to  despair,  for  he 
saw  that  unless  the  boat  was  lightened,  all  his  endeav- 
ors would  be  vain ;  they  should  never  pass  through 
the  breakers. 

At  length,  when  within  two  hundred  yards  of  the 
shoi3,  the  two  volunteer  sailors,  who  were  swimmers, 
and  who  found  Mike  could  handle  an  oar,  declare^  that 
they  would  lighten  the  boat  by  swimming  ashore  them- 
selves. Dick  remonstrated  with  them  for  this  deser- 
tion ;  the  passage  through  the  reefs  was  still  to  make, 
and  he  dreaded  it  vith  unskilled  rowers;  but  the  men 


% 


OF    TIIK    ROCKY    MOrNTAINS. 


•J  7 


turned  a  deaf  ear  to  liim,  tliey  knew  tliat  lliry  vvcro 
BaCer  in  tlie  uater,  swimming  as  they  eould,  than  on  'lie 
leaking  boat  ;  they  fearlessly  plunged  into  the  sea,  a'ld 
were  soon  on  their  way  to  safety. 

When  the  boat  reaehed  the  whirlpool  of  waters  pour- 
ifig  through  the  opening  in  the  reef,  Diek  shouted  his 
directions  loudly,  above  the  roaring  of  the  break'^rs, 
while  Harold  and  Mike  did  their  best  to  obey  them ; 
but,  unaccustomed  to  row  in  such  a  sea,  their  endeavors 
were  worse  than  fruitless ;  they  ran  the  boat  with  tre- 
mendous force  against  the  rocks,  and  stoved  her ;  the 
water  j)Oured  in,  shrieking  women  and  children  clung 
vainly  to  the  parting  timb'irs,  in  a  moment  all  were 
swallowed  in  the  foaming  waves  ;  dashed  fatally  against 
the  rocks,  or  carried  swiftly  on  with  the  tide  now  flow- 
ing in.  Crofton  caught  hold  of  the  old  woman's  dress, 
and  as  she  had  fainted,  and  was  therefore,  fortunately 
for  him,  quiescent,  he  held  her  firmly,  and  once  more 
buffeted  ihe  waves  for  life.  Dick  held  Mary,  charging 
her  not  to  touch  him  ;  and  as  he  was  a  practised  swim- 
mer, he  brought  her  ashore  speedily  and  safely,  followed 
by  Mike,  who  also  swam  well,  and  a  minute  after,  Crof- 
ton landed  with  old  Peggy  still  insensible. 

No  sooner  had  they  recovered  breath  than  Dick 
criid  out,  "Come,  you  two  chaps  as  is  to  be  paid  for 
this  job,  and  help  us  to  fish  out  another  or  two  afore  it 
be  over-late." 

"It's  Will's  head  I'm  seeing,  Mr.  Marlin,"  sobbed 
Mike ;  "  and  he  niver  swimming  a  sthroke  in  his  born 
days.  Musha !  why  was  I  coming  away  without  him  ; 
will  I  be  thryin'  again  ?  " 

"  You  look  to  your  mother,  lad,"  rej)lied  Dick,  "  and 
ril   lend   him   a   hand."      Then,  catching   a    ro])e,  he 


'tsmmummmmm 


H 


Tlir    lU.AH   IM'N  ri'  l(« 


|»lnnp;r«l  into  llic  wnln*  mjjihu.  'I'lir  Iwn  iiifii  loitkr«1 
millcii,  Iml  Ml  lrM!',(h,  |tri»\ii|r(|  willi  io|h's,  (nllowrd  Iii« 
rX(im|>lr  ;  uliilr  (  lolluii,  wmIcIh'iI  ovi'I*  liy  Mf.  Kmhicy, 
lllV  li«>l|il('sM  on  tli<<  hiiU'li,  ill  ^rriil  |)Miti,  loi    Iiim  IuoI  IiimI 


pnllcrctl    ir,    lii^t   I'xtMlioiis.      'I'll 


vy    WiMO   Hooii    lullird    by 


tl)i>  «'Mpliiiii  ami  ni!it<<,  liolli   in  a  hIiiIo  <>I    lii|.!,li   imliwiiii 


(ion. 


Wlio  is  (o  pay   u\o  lor  lliiw  Iicjivy  uddilion   fo  my 


I 


OSMO.S 


? 


SMH 


1     S 


(M  iii«)n. 


I' 


(ill   lioat    wiH  nr 


M'Si 


it 


(^>sl  iiic  ii  liinidrrd  |)«)iim*Is,  iiiid  was  a  li!ir;j;:iiii.      I    iiin  it 
niiiu'«l   niMii,  INIr.   Ciof'ioii,  a.ul  yon   liavr  laKrii   atlvaii 
lap^o  ol'  my  wt'Mkiicss." 

"Conloiiiul  \\\c  moi.i'y,"  said  iIm'  male;  'Mvlial  arc 
you  wanl'tii}»;  llic  Irllow's  money  lor?  \N  ill  all  lie  liati 
liny  ns  anotlirr  boat  lieroaway  ;  and  Iiow  mim"  \vr  to  jrrt 
olV  iVom  this  inlornal  o«»asl  ?  hidn'l  1  warn  yo,  ('iip- 
lain  S«'niloii,  lo  l»ruai(>  ol  l)rin;^in^  oiil  jionllrinm  pas- 
i»(Mio<»rs?  —  Iml  yon  ii(>vfr  can  Miami  llic  si«;lil  ol' inoiioy. 
1  m'v«M'  knew  one  o{'  lliiMr  f-cl  Iml  hron^lil  Iroulilc  and 
loss  on  a  ship  with  iIumi*  lancios  and  llu>ir  canf.  Now, 
Mr.  Crorion,  I  say,  wlicre's  lliom  pn<ri»»ns  sonls  you 
W'OYo  lor  saving?  You've  just  sent  lliem  oil' a  l»il  sooiu'r 
(o  Davy's  looker,  and  Kisi  us  our  lioal  willi  your  lau- 
Irnms,  thai  miulit  have  landed  us  at  soute  decent  pt)rt. 
What  wouUl  you  like  lo  have  next?" 

"1  shouhl  like  a  little  attention  paid  lo  the  surviv(>r.s 
«nd  to  niyseir,"  answ«'ri'd  Crt)rioii.  "  11'  (Jod  spare  us, 
Capt^uu  Serulon,  to  reaih  England,  I  promise  to  recom- 
pense you  for  the  loss  ol'  the  hoat,  whie'u  it  is  prohaldo 
my  unskiltulness  helped  to  wreck.  V\,i-  you,  Sharpley, 
I  cim  only  say  you  are  a  cruel  and  unprincipled  scoun- 
drel, and  I  do  not  conceive  that  I  am  in  {he  least  ajv 
iWon\ble  lo  you  lor  my  conduct." 


<»K    riiK   imm;ky    mmi mains. 


2'.) 


'  }?«'< 

ow, 
tan- 

us, 

[pley, 
•ouii- 

it  an* 


'*  He  cjiiilioiis,  iMiy,"  ntx'ul  Mr.  Kodricy  t<»  liii  |)M(.it,  in 
liiitiii ;  "  iIh*!  iimiii  i'^  po'^HrRsnl  wilii  a  (i«-iiion  ;  do  not 
nmut'  il,  or  yon  niiiy  Im'  tlin  virlim." 

'•  Nfvrr  Hfnr,  olil  Idlow,"  irplifMl  IfnroM,  Ijinj-liin^ 
"  hilt  do  Indp  nil'  lo  >i  pN-Msiuil'i"  hrd  tliun  tlirsr  stofii-^ 
purriy  oii(>  nniy  litid  gnisM  ur  1(miv(;h  in  tliirf  disnnil  com* 

Ifddiiry,  tHHistcd  l»y  Mik«',  niisrd  Ihirold,  mid  lirlpfd 
liini  to  niovi;  lo  u  pil«>  of  (dojikH  lliiit  lay  lii(;li  np  on  tlio 
Im'im'Ii  ;  Hiid  IN-jri^y,  now  rrvivrd  and  Jicdv**,  HKsiHt«'d  in 
liiiliiin^  and  rc-luind.'ij^innr  liin  injured  foot,  ntid  provi<i' 
iiii:  )i  Hof't   ciHliion   for  il,  to   rn>ik(;   w)ii(di  kIic,   took   off 


Mik 


(•  H  J)l( 


kct. 


t( 


And 


II 


no  friorc,  nor   he   uno    ivry  soul    here,   is  owinj^ 


I    h 


to   ITh    lionor,"   ninrnicrrd    hIip.       "  'Vlw.    Idfssin'   oi'  the 


prior  liill  on  hitn  ;  nuiy  h(^  nivn-  he,  wnntirif;;  a  prafee 
ami  !i  Miip  of  lliirk  milk  whih;  lie  lives!  Sure,  wasn't 
it.  Iiiinself,  niver  sparin'  liis  m»ld  nor  his  lirnhs,  and 
biiii^in'  IIS  safe  lo  dliry  ground,  (iod  he  praised,  harrin' 
poor  Willie  and  the  mast  her,  and  tliern  j^rau;  to;j;et}if;r, 
pniiRed  he  (lod  !  " 

Has  nolliifif;  yc-t  l»een  seen  of  your  cousin,  Mike? 


u 


»» 


aski'd  Harold  of  the  w<'('pinj;;  hoy. 

"Was   it  seein'   him,  yer    homier?"    repli<!d   Mik« : 
"sure,   it's  niver    a;i;ain   we'll    KCt  onr   hiessed  ey<?s  on 


inn,  seemir   lie   was 


the   I 


)oy  an  was  niver   swmimin    n 


Htlirok(^  afore  tlTiH  tinn^,  niore.'s  tlu;  sorrow." 

A  shout  from  the  shore  summoned  the  anxious  emi* 
{irants,  who  found  that  Dick  had  succeeded  in  re-enln" 
William,  though  tru^  poor  yonlh  remained  in  a  very 
weak  state.  The  other  two  men  had  landed,  one  bring- 
itiii;    in    the  oM   schoolmaster    quite    senseless,   and   the 


oilier    a    vounjr    lad,   wh 


om 


I 


ffur 

an 


y   recogniz(;d  as 


Pat 


8* 


«■ 


!  '    S:l' 


''ii:t 


i!!i 


SO 


TIIK    iikak-ihn  ri.KH 


G»n«»lly,  atnl  ol)sorv<M|,  "  There's  betlher  nor  liiin  gone 
to  the  botlorn." 

Tho  hoy,  who  was  not  more  thnn  nino  or  ten  years 
oM,  was  lik(>wise  insensihhi  ;  hut  the  attention  of  the 
wontan  aiul  of  l\Ir.  Kixlney  soon  hroii^hl  all  the  resiMied 
HulVerjTs  ronnd.  No  hope  reniain<><l  of  reeoverin}» 
more  livinj^,  Dick  assnred  Mr.  Uo»lney,  as  they  eon- 
dniMed  the  •;ratrl\il  old  man  and  hoys  to  tin?  rest,  where 
Diek  haci  to  nnderj^o  the  ahnse  of  tho  mate  for  acting 
without  orders,  an<l  being  accessory  to  the  Krss  of  the 
boat.  In  tho  mean  time.  Captain  Scrnton  was  looking 
out  in  great  agitation  on  the  total  destruction  of  jjis 
unfortunate  vessel,  torn  asunder  by  the  weight  of  the 
waves. 

"  The  Nuffijet  has  gone  to  pieces,"  he  cried  in  de- 
spair ;  "  every  plank  luts  parted,  and  we  shall  never 
save  a  pound's-worth  of  her  freight;  I  am  a  ruined 
man ! " 

"  May  the  gates  of  heaven  op(Mi  to  recave  them  !  " 
exclaimed  Pe',gy,  raising  her  hands.  "  Sinners  they 
were,  like  all  on  ns,  and  it's  little  fit  we  are  for  judg- 
ment ;  but  He  calls  us  when  it's  })lasing  Him." 

"  This  is  indeed  a  terrible  sight,  Captain  Scrutou," 
said  Mr.  Rodney;  "it  is  u  feaHid  reflection  that  those 
desperate  men,  with  anger  in  their  hearts  and  oaths  on 
their  lips,  should  be  hurried  to  judgment." 

"  What  more  could  I  do,  ]\Ir.  Rodney  ? "  answered 
Scruton  ;  "  what  better  fate  have  I,  —  a  wretched, 
ruined  man  ?  cast  away  on  a  barren  coast,  in  utter 
poverty  and  destitution,  not  knowing  where  to  shelter 
my  head." 

''A  shelter  is  it,  captain?"  said  Dick;  "I  was  con- 
lidering  that  over  to  myself.     What's  the  orders'*     ] 


"  loucari  all  do  as  you  will"      '- i  ^ 
"  And  what  in  flic  wo.hi 

M- 'to,,.,..,,  i :i:!','r^"''''''-''i'?"-i<ed 

"  '   <»mi<.t   almndoii   ,„v  ow., 
"  Vessels   will    ]t4u.„  c 

'■-'■^ n.l!;t;:'f /'■'-'''-'--'< 

-"-'-•'* ilr„:;;Tr'T "" 

g're  lis  a  clianc..  of  takin.r  „..     ,       •     '^    '""  "'  f'""  to 

-^^':z::::::::::Tr''-'" '•'- 

A  wi.le  extent  of  plain  "l"  """"  "''  "'«  '»»«'• 

^i-ee,.a..i[wo„i:::'cz;:r:;'''''-^'r-'- 

*  l."e  of  »now.oove,-ed  mountail  m  ^'^  '""''^  '■««" 
"■'■■•'I'^'ant.s.  not  an  animaTwa  "en  .  ,  "'''""'■'"""^  "^ 
-->  and  .,,e  ™e„  swore  ,  el  J^IT'^  ,""=  -""-^ 
down  with  the  old  hulk  than  !.««,  ,  "  ''""'  '""« 
wilderness.  "  '"'  '""•"«''  *"  death  in  ihi, 

"  Be  houlding  your  wicked  (o„..„e.,  v» 
"■e  old  schoohnas-^r.      '<  wiJ,T'  ^    ""'""'''   ^a'd 

"'8  70U,  that  would  taeheTe  I'     'T  ''•  ''''  ^"^  -''• 

'  "'«  Almighty  Himself  ho« 


I 


^i 


nn    lu  AM  in  NH  »«« 


\\*'A  hi<  «M»lt»iMlMu  ''»•'  »M>').ir      Ir  ii  („<  ttifii    lit.'.,  tntd 
on!  woiK   I'ov  no  lo  ilo.  won  i    H«'.  Iili'>4g«<i|   lu>    Ili>i  ntinip, 
pptno  nx.  ihni  «i»  rniiv  ilo  ihtH   "inn«'       AntI  mmh'.  H    tx»« 
luM^  \  Iniunbi'fl,  www's  il  Im«  jn'»t  tlnil  »\t'  l«>  lo|)|ti  •!  ..il 
\*\\\  thiMi'  nn*.  nu '4«'lr.  iVnul^j  tV|(,.ilh,  ^iilt    jiIimm   kI 
work  nun  lull  onl,  Ti>ln{j   n' n-,  <'\i>v\   muil  i»l    \»'.  nmlln' 
M   «l(»i»»   ol    lin'l>in}>.       rin>n    iMi     lioilm  \    hi  n-.  Im'   ti    ntl 
Ir^i'  <ni«n-,  unil    n)(V\l<«<  In'll   !»•<  hminn  n  nii{»lit\   ihilf  <•! 
ihnx    10   (iiM    il\nMi^l\    \v\.      And  «n»«',   tln>M.    (Jml    nill 
pjMno  \\»,  unil  <'«'«m1   n^,  llU«»  tin*  m«'nl    pjopltcl  in  ilip  »\il 
«irvnt^'»««,  l\>   tin*  InnU  of  tln«  nir  (hin<«oh  oi.      AntI  n  liiH 
tovMiU  ln>  !<i*ri'«'ilin}j  n«?  wnro,  \von(    il    Im>  !•»  do  oin 
xvovK  ?  •* 

Mv.    Ko«ln«>\    (Ml   M   li((li»  nniMMnroKnMo   in    inKmovl 
i^d^injj    \\w   \^"*\^^^\\'i\W\\\^  \   iho  ol«l    nun»    poinlttl  oin  j    V'l 
\w  1M<    (In'  tvnilt  o(    iho  Rin\pl<<  wohln  uhiclt  tiU'onloti 
vidi»Milo    I0   <!»»»   )»!n>l(>niil    in\i|    tMU('loq«tj    Inil    \vi'ii>    nol 
<)nv>\>n  rt«!VV  on  \]\o  \ho\\^i\\i{\\\. 

"  \  on  twv  ipnto  vifiln,  Mr.  0'K,-i||>."  miid  CmOonj 
"•if  wo  wo»ild  Inn  0  i\\o  \w\\\  ol  (lod,  uo  n>ni(  liv  In 
\uA\y  onrsoUos.  It  will  \n\or  «lo  (o  vointnn  pining  horo, 
Ws  M'MM^  tin-  \\i\\\\  of  i\^\\\\  !unl  sluliof.  Wo  tnnst  lni\o 
fonts  to  pnMoot  ns  l'i\>n»  tho  hiltor  wiml;  ;nnl  w  >  nninl, 
rtlso  ;\n;\ng\»  to  koop  n  {j>>o«1  look  ont  ;  lor  if  wo  liiivn 
booi  tlu»wtun.'«  1  «^>nol\nlo  wo  hnvo.  ootisidorjiMy  norlli 
of  C\'\liton\i!\.  I  )k\\ow  \\\t\i  (ho  oosisl  is  nolod  (or  (ho 
tioivonoss  of  its  srtV!\!>(>  (rihi^-*." 

"I  o;»»u\o(  holp  (hinkinji,"  snid  SonHon,  "(hnl  we 
must  o\<M\  ho  n^n<h  t>f  (ho  l\>hnnhi.'i  ;  iUo  ship  nnnhi 
suv^h  (orriMo  >v;\y  in  (ho  gulo  ;  hu(  w»'  nro  «piilo  in  (ln« 
irtrk  fthont  onr  |H>silion." 

"  If  it  sbonUl  bo  rts  yon  think.  ('i»i>tMin  Sornl«m."  snid 
Mr.    Kxxinov.   "  wo  havo  only    to  koop  tho  ooasi,  nnd 


nv    rtiK    uni'itf    ¥nvstMf^n. 


»l 


hlMt'M'fl  Miiilli  III  »li#»  •ri'iiifli  m(    ||m«  rjvr,  whrf   wo  ffiiKl 
lull  Mm»iM(»  Crlcn'l')  " 


l',M«i 


»'»•    «fi 


id    III 


tttri    «Imh»',     hmmI    Hi»»    Rfirly    rridf' 


h 


(inm»"l  rMi'k",  wfiM*'  w»'M  (miv  fo  «'»irf  y  |ir'»vi-Krfi  nUrrn( 
Willi  !!'<  •'•  l<"''(i  iM  Mliv»»,  fifi'l  ovry  ffMiri  nrfri«'l  frt 
i|«»rf«M<l  liifiHfir  lr»»fri  fli»«  rrit»f'lfrifi!»  «<mvmi^<"<;  nfi/|  ov^f 
(lull,  wImi'b  in  Nil  vvlM'ifi*  f  w»«  ho  K/irdi  f»r  ^oiifli  frf  fiio 
(  oliMiiMii  '  II  v«»n  frM''Mliri(/  Irllow*  liM'ln  f  -Jtovfl  our 
^(IM(|  Ii»im(,  w»'  ImkI  ;i  fliMfiM'  <if"  (ryirij^  our  IimIc  nlonjf 
lli»>  r«i(i-if.  Now  ♦•vry  Imiii'I'-*  lii-<  uwn  rniMf'T,  Mfi'l 
«'(•»»  (m)c''    lii-)  own  cMiif.;**.       f    ffif'Mfi    to    rfidk''  »i    -jturf    fVrr 


OM»' 


*'  And  wind  fiifiy  lif  yfoir  |»l»ifi,  il  f  rruiy  (ir'-flom''  to 
Mik   yon,   Ml.  SIkm  (il»y  r*  "  nnifl   Mr.    I'oflnry. 

"('Ivil.  ImiI  Minriiii}/,"  »iri<wM'<l  flif  rnnri,  witli  n  riid<» 
Imiii»Ii  ;  "  l»Mt  \  don't  rrtind  frllioj/  yon  ffi  /  -<  liMn^.  f 
iiM'Mii  t4»  «h«Mm»'  niy  i^liur''  ol"  tlir  wr''k,  to  luinj/  n  IimjjJ 
ol  l»('»<r  niid  n  Ui'if  of  mift  ov^r  rny  -lionld'T-s,  to  t/ikr-  n 
kiiil"  ill  my  ln-lt  iind  n  ^nn  in  rny  liiirKJ,  nnd  th^ri  to 
miiki'  rny  wny  (|im«  r-jmf  t<i  tho  rr(Onnt>iin-«,  rrow^  tli<rn  if 
I  niri,  -  if"  not,  <r»>i-!f  fliMO,  lili  [  ((>m»'  on  -lorn"  ^totion 
or  «rtfli'rrir'iif  wliMf?  \  f>in  mok''  rny-?'  11"  n-'  fol,  «rif|  -^tfirt 


.If 


flit    on  fi  ii'W 


liook. 


'*  And  niiiy  ff^  m^rcy  ir-Jid  yon  ton  Wfttop  f-^^jiir •*♦'," 
p»id  l)«'nni^.  "  ft'-<  ii  l.iid  ro«d  to  ffrnvr-n  i-;  tiint  j«rn^ 
yon'rr  f r<Mi./lin();,  Mr.  SftJirpl''y." 

"  Mind  your  own  t>i'k,  you  old  f'o^*!,"  ropji^d  thfl 
ronrsp.  rrniri  ;  "and  if  yonVr-,  honnd  for  H^avftn,  fit 
foil  you  ycMi'rft  u(A,  fiir  from  \i<*ri  ;  you'vp,  only  f/»  hidfl 
lifT*!  (jiiirtly  ».  hit." 

"  Wr»n't  wf,  nil  h*-.  jroiri^  along^  with  yon  amonjuj  fh*» 
rnour/fains?,    Mr.   SliJirfdf-y  ?  "  df-inufKh-d    Mik^.       '*  Sor*? 


Wi 


84 


THE    BEAR-HUNTKRS 


■';     1- 


,;  * 


\ii:^ 


m       <f'':-i< :,!' 


V.iil 

-.11 'It 


you'd  not  be  laving  us  here  to  be  dying  like  dogs  undei 
these  bare  rocks  ;  and  my  mother  and  Mary  too,  the 
craturs !  Arrah !  won't  I  be  the  boy  to  be  kaping  them 
up  with  you,  by  God's  help." 

"  The  scheme  seems  to  be  feaj^ible,"  said  Mr.  Rodney, 
witii  a  sigh,  ''  though  it  must  necessarily  be  attended 
with  toil  and  difficulty,  and  we  certainly  ought  to  keep 
together.  What  is  your  opinion  of  the  plan.  Captain 
Scruton  ?  " 

*'  I  once  more  say,  Mr.  Rodney,"  answered  Scruton, 
'*  that  unless  we  can  contrive  some  mode  of  transporting 
the  salvage  of  the  wreck  inland,  I  must  remain  to  guard 
it.     A  good  team  of  horses  or  oxen  might  do." 

And  Scruton  mournfully  looked  on  the  mountain  of 
goods,  which  had  by  this  time  been  increased  by  some 
chests  and  casks,  which  the  tide  had  thrown  on  the 
beach. 

Crofton  turned  away  in  disgust  from  the  infatuated 
man,  and  said,  "  My  unfortunate  accident  must  prevent 
me  from  taking  the  field,  my  friends.  I  must,  of  neces- 
sity, remain  with  Captain  Scruton  ;  but  if  your  expedi- 
tion be  fortunate,  and  you  meet  with  friends,  whether 
Cliristians  or  charitable  heathens,  1  know  you  will  de- 
spatch them  here  to  help  us." 

"To  rob  us,  more  likely,"  said  Scruton,  in  agitation. 
*•  Rather  let  us  build  a  boat,  and  escape  from  the  thiev- 
ing tribes  that  frequent  the  coast." 

"  Where  will  we  get  the  timmer,  captain  ?"  said  Dick. 
•"*  seeing  there's  no  trees  hereabout  bigger  nor  berry 
bus!;es ;  and  these  planks  thrown  ashore  wouldn't  hold 
a  nail,  they're  so  rotten.  Ay,  ay,  it  were  a  bad  job  we 
lost  yon  boat." 

Scruton    groaned,   but    Dick   continued    to    whistle 


OF   THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


3A 


cheerfully,  as  he  planted  some  wrecked  oars  in  the 
ground  close  to  the  cliff's,  and  covered  them  with  the 
sailcloth  which  had  been  thrown  over  the  stores  in  their 
first  trip. 

**  By  rights,"  said  he,  "  the  women  folks  ought  to  have 
been  first  served ;  but  I'se  rig  *em  up  a  bit  berth  in  tliis 
here  nook."  And  another  wrecked  oar  or  two  with  a 
sailcloth  cover,  and  rugs  spread  beneath,  made  a  small 
tent  for  the  easily  contented  women. 

By  this  time,  Mike,  assisted  by  the  active  little  Pat, 
had  collected  some  dry  driftwood,  and  made  a  large 
fire  in  a  convenient  hollow,  where  the  women  employed 
themselves  in  drying  the  clothes  of  those  who  had  been 
in  the  water,  and  in  boiling  a  kettle  of  fresh  water,  a^ 
it  was  called,  from  the  water-cask ;  and  Captain  Scru- 
ton  having  reluctantly  given  out  tea  and  sugar,  with 
some  biscuit  and  beef  for  the  men,  they  prepared  tea 
and  meat,  which  were  \»'elcomely  received ;  though  the 
mean  captain  protested  that  he  had  no  right  to  victual 
the  emigrant  passengers,  and  he  was  only  by  shame  at 
last  induced  to  grant  them  a  s'  are  of  biscuit. 

"  God's  name  be  praised  for  the  mercies  we  have 
resaved  at  His  hards,"  said  Dennis ;  "  and  for  tliis 
blessed  food  He  is  spreading  for  us  in  a  strange  land ;  *' 
and  some  lips,  and  more  hearts,  answered  "  Amen  '*  tc 
the  prayer  of  the  worthy  old  man. 


•i    :f 


)$  fl 


H 


VHW  IMMU  ui'nh  nn 


rii  A  r  n. li   i  v. 

Vho    Diin^*    H    ♦!(,.     WvvcKiM-.         N.-.l    TonoiU '-^     Will        MmhiIi 


Vt  vru    i\\x\\     mv;»n<v    n'lvHf.    (Iti*    ul»i>li>    |itirl 


V    ^vptrt 


\h;\M  n    to    tho    lH!»«>h    (o   si'o.  with    ilt'i-p    diMiif.qq.  ruii 


\>n* 


Ai\vv 


C01  n<jr    \> 


;<  hril     Mq| 


\ori< 


ri. 


t\ 


\l'S(«      "IC     poor     MtMUOH 


i<n\\   \!p  ;\^o\o  il»,'  M.Kor  \nf»iK.;>oil  u.pl  .»q  ili,'v  loooj^ 
\\\9V\\    iho    <;ii'o^5   of    noif)l\ho»;4    or   ;».'nu!nn<MOi>t>i  •   ttirii 
«»n<u.MK-<noo<  siiil  «o;\iinir  (ho  |ooK  ol    hoiittr  uliidi  iho 
pn>^po,(    o<    rt   >iolont    mo. I    i^joxii-iMo   i|<>Mtl)   li;nl 


oiillot 


\\\y      ri\o   hovs  x\\\^  ^vr»\o'»   in   il\.>   ^liinulv    Itouili.  tiinl 

<ho  pious    oM    .«olnv>lnu\s(or    jiKohmI    h    priivtM    m^  llio 

«1o.^^  ^\on^   .^^nsiiIoo^^   (o  \\w\\    lo\>olv  sopnioino  on  iIimI 

sKoiN^   whow^   i<    >vMs   pi»U»l>lo  ihrir    ^ii»\o<i   \vo\iM  rowl 


monf. 


(r,1 


»n,l    >in<l\  tnrbo.l   i\il   (In 


}>VO!\ 


I    <li 


«v    ol 


\^osi<ios    iho    ho^lio's,  \ho   fi<|o   () 


nvw   vMnon«   m 


tir) 


03 


tNf  ^^^^vk   on   tho  bo;hO\.  nhiol 


»  won'  oju'olullv  o«»llo(Mo»l 


bv   (^ 

nil 


c:  thoujjh    ihov    pvu.londy    nppn»pri!Uo«l    only    suoh 


thinjj^    rts    won'    vMln.-ihU 


Mn« 


M>l 


(jtMi 


sonto    sniu 


II 


«vin><  >wuton^i  ,>\<>r  (ho  hcwh.  or  .voonllv  nl»s(nio(o(l 
tWm  (Ho  poi>v>ns  ol'<h<>  liomi.  «((«!  two  or  throo  wMtolios, 
i»-<Mv  sivnnsi  In  vSlcu  ph^v  :  hut  ho  ,h,l  nol  snooooil  in 
iktoAJin^  (ho  \u;vl;iuoo  ot    IVjijiy.  who  dolooU-a  hiii.  ox- 


tuf    nii     »?<(<»<  f    \»'i»  vf  ^  fvq. 


ar 


hfiflinf/  ft  \vnh\<  iintn  lie-  forji  f-  r>f  fi  po'ir  "fnij/rrinf,  nn^l 
p|M|i|(»'f|  liin  lififcl,  Kfiyifi;/, 

"Morrow  Iff'  »((ioft  v«'  (li'fi,  iVTr.  MfitrpI' y,  v^miM  /ft 
|i»>  wfOMfiM*  Hi'«  v'fy  'I' (kI  'li''ffi-u|v'"«  y  -Titr^  l-ri'f  poi'^r 
N''«l    ^'ofiolly  fhf'    fioy  fi-!    will    fi'-vr    fi'-    rf/ifirij^    tri    Iih 

w»t^    ('»    I"'    ^'  Ifrn'    lii'    >.«/,'it'"fi    liMrrifi'  hi-:    oy/ri    /W'^'h    nri'\ 

ih'M'l,  mi'l  rfK>  Krirri/ifi'  fiirfr  Ii(i/k  'n/  own  -''If.  S'^rrroTV 
)i  s<»wl  liM*  ffi"  jiof.r  lioy  \o  look  fo  hfirrin*  iVfnry  ttri'f 
ffC,    f»»■llOf•■^  '      A  ii'l     yoii     wotiM     \it'    f\if'     roj/i(f',    f^'i    J»o 


lilt 


in 


ir-4     iukU'  *<     W) 


rnMni'f    I'p    writ'-    onf    Iik    own    wi 


7ir\' 


I     I: 


»yrri    nl 


hm 


nwnlnt^-^  'o  I'/if,  »fi''  (i;oit;oori,  W.'i-^ri'f  flint  jnrrK*  will 
Pi(/n*''l  wifh  Mriry'^  f-ro-^^j?  nn'l  rriy  ^rwn  *"ro''«,  fh^  rnft-itli'-f 
t^'llin'  II''.  lliJif  ■Mfo''  l>'iri(/  fH  j/oo^j  !M  j.'oM,  rrnr^hn  !  it's? 
thru''  (iU<i(.o'Mirr  !  nri'l  (-'.n't  fh^  will  if'^'-lf  lyings  'At  t^^i^ 
firrif  nt  fli"  lif>Horn  of  fli^'  ^ny  ?" 

Tfif  loii'l  vorifrrntion  of  I'f'itify  !»ftr?K'f<'d  ^npt«in 
Sfinforr  to  fl"'  ^f't,  who,  on  U'Mrriinj/  th*"'  c-suh'^  c»f  Ihfl 
Hltrrr>ition,  'oolly  f/»<»k  |[»<»'-!«f'^«ic»n  '•»f  th"  w,\tf\t  him-'^lf, 
siiy'nof,  "  A-<  f  ntny  \ii\vf'.  to  i'ff]  fhr-,  ^>oyy  (tr><\  know4 
h<»w  Urnj/,  it  \a  l»iit  jint  fFiMt  \  -h'>ukl  hf»vf>  -OTri^thirii?  in 
[>»rt  fvf  pnyrnfTit." 

Shnrjili-y  mntt'T'fl  ;in  \(uprP,cf^\\<^r^  that  v>nn«'l'»'^l  lik^, 
«  fhr»'«t,  >irid  ^''t^tify  wfi-<  f'Mp  rroTYi  ^aiisfi^d  with  (h** 
r-fiptMifi,  JI-?  rr.urmiirin^  arfl  w^'Y-pinj?  -h'^  pvrtff'f(\r'f\  to 
n-;«ist  in  i^rnovin^  uu<\  Fmryinj^  t\\r'  \,fAy  of  ()ftr\tA\y^ 
f}V('r  whom  fat  sh^'<l  -iftmf'.  \>\ttf'r  tfftr^  ;  fckV  hU  un«"l<5 
}i>ul  >»roiio;ht  him  dp,  in  Fiim  h'^  k»«t.  th<*,  ■'o!*',  r^'lanv^ 
h*!  ('(}m\(\   c\f\'\in    in   thft   w^rjrl,  Huf\    \u9,   wiki   tricks   an^ 


rni«<'hifVfnH    [.ropfn^itif.s   wcrf,   ;i.'>t,    likely   to   win    b' 
rriflny  new  fnc.rulA. 


m 


l 


88 


TUE    BKAIMIUNTKUS 


i  'i: 


m 


After  an  uncomfoitsiWe,  tlioiigh  fortunately  an  un 
listurbcd,  rest  in  tlieir  crowded  little  tents,  the  de« 
^cted  castaways  rose  next  morning,  bent  on  making 
pome  effort  to  extricate  themselves  from  their  misera- 
ble position.  The  wind  yet  blew  tempestuously  from 
tlie  sea,  casting  ashore  the  timbers  and  freightage  of 
the  unlucky  vessel,  and  goading  Scruton  to  distraction 
as  he  walked  among  the  heaps  of  wreck  which  he  could 
not  turn  to  profit.  The  men  grumbled  loudly  over 
the  task  of  dragging  up  the  useless  yards,  ropes,  and 
sails ;  and  it  was  only  by  the  dangerous  bribe  of  rum 
that  he  insured  their  services.  But  once  aware  that 
a  hogshead  of  rum  was  among  the  saved  property,  the 
four  sailors  not  only  demanded  their  grog,  but  even 
threatened  to  seize  the  whole  if  they  were  not  liberally 
supplied. 

"  Captain  Scruton,"  said  the  old  schoolmaster,  "  I'm 
bold  to  be  spaking  with  you,  seeing  that  I,  Dennis 
O'Reilly,  am  always,  by  rason  of  knowin'  a  dale,  look- 
ing at  the  end  of  things  ;  and  if  I  would  be  ever  keep- 
ing my  eyes  shut  in  doing  that  same,  I  would  be  letting 
the  boys  I  own  fall  into  mischief.  Then  sure,  Captain 
Scruton,  isn't  it  you  should  be  seeing  far  off  the  sorrow 
that  will  be  falling  on  your  own  misguided  men,  God 
turn  them  from  their  bad  ways,  for  isn't  it  the  t^ame  sup 
of  spirit  you'd  be  daling  out  to  them  will  be  tempting 
them  on  to  fighting,  and  thieving,  and  riay-be  murder 
itself;  and  will  we  be  standing  by,  and  giving  them  their 
ov/n  ways  altogether  ?  Sure,  captain,  dear,  wouldn't  you 
be  ordering  my  boys,  seeing  they  may  be  thrusted,  to  be 
Fowling  that  same  barrel  of  poison  back  igain  to  the 
bottom  of  the  say,  and  peaceful  be  its  rest  there  for  ever 
and  ever !  * 


OF    TIIK    ROCKY    MOUNT  VIN3. 


39 


*'  The  rum  cost  money,  IVfr.  O'Reilly,"  said  Scruton, 
much  irritated,  "  and  it's  worth  money  to  me.  The 
sea  has  swallowed  up  enou<;h  of  my  property,  I  shall 
hardly  be  such  a  fool  as  to  fling  away  the  little  that 
remains  to  me." 

"  The  old  man  is  a  second  Daniel,"  said  Harold  ; 
"  the  men  will  all  go  mad  if  they  get  to  the  rum.  liy 
all  means  let  us  get  rid  of  it.  John,  you  and  William 
can  roll  down  the  hogshead,  and  start  the  infernal 
liquor  into  the  sea." 

John  was  '  i  ady  in  a  moment ;  but  William  hesitated, 
and  said,  "  Hadn't  we  better  have  the  captain's  leave 
first,  sir?  I  don't  think  we  have  a  right  to  nieddle  with 
his  property  without  orders." 

"  In  the  question  of  morality,"  said  Mr.  Rodney, 
"  the  youth  is  perfectly  right.  We  may  not  conunit 
evil  to  obtain  good.  Though  we  are  on  American 
cround,  we  must  not  adopt  the  Lynch  law.  But, 
Cai)tain  Scruton,  allow  me  to  suggest  the  prudence  of 
Bubmitting  to  this  small  sacrifice,  in  order  to  avert  the 
probable  consequences  of  retaining  the  fatal  possession." 

liut  Scruton,  furious  at  the  contem|)lation  of  his 
losses,  could  not  be  persuaded  to  relinquish  that  which 
was  in  fact  worse  than  useless,  though  he  consented  that 
John  and  the  two  Irish  boys  should  be  placed  as  sen- 
tinels, with  loaded  guns,  to  guard  the  rum.  Dick 
was  honest  and  might  have  been  trusted,  but  Scruton 
required  his  services  to  collect  the  worthless  wreck. 

"  Surely,  Captain  S'^ruton,"  said  Crofton,  as  he  tried 
in  vain  to  rise  and  stand, "  surely  you  do  not  mean  us  to 
remain  in  this  miserable  exposed  place  till  you  collect 
all  the  fragments  of  youi  unfortunate  ship,  which,  after 
oil,  are  good  for  nothing  but  firewood.     Which  oi'  you. 


40 


TiiK  in: \u-nrNTKKn 


my  ni(M».  will  voIuhIimm'  on  nn  oxprdiiion  into  lljr 
counlry  to  try  fliul  discovor  llu'  best  mode  of  escaping 
iVoni  tins  (lisniiil  shoro  ?  Rodney,  my  drnf  Irlltiw 
will  yon  lead  tlu'in,  Hnd  note  down  tlio  !i|)|t('!irinic('  of 
(ho  connlrv  ?  'lUv  two  lads  nro  kcon-oycd,  tlicy  will 
<»oo  how  tlio  hind  lies;  nnd  ov<mi  dohn  Lninp  ihcro  cnn 
osirry  a  }j;nn  and  tjikc  oarc  ol'  yon  and  of  hinisoll'.  lie 
has  oaitital  hnnds,  thonuh  his  hoiid  is  not  particnlaily 
usol'nl.  Well,  JNIr.  SliMiplcy,  do  yon  uv.xkv  any  ohjco- 
tion  to  this  motion?"  a«ldod  ho,  sceinj^  (ho  niaio  scowl- 
uiiT  as  ho  spoke. 

"  1  think  Captain  Sernton  has  {^one  miid,"  ^'jrnndtled 
the  man,  "  ;ind  therelbro  every  niMii's  honnd  to  look 
to  himsolf.      lint,  1   say,  yowW  luMter  keep  yonr  friend 


Iw'i'i 


he  s 


a    deal     too    slow    for    tln^    hnsino 


V 


manairo  it    mvs* 


■If. 


Tl 


len    tnrninir 


to    tl 


10    siiilors. 


ho 


f^aid,  "Throw  down  them  rotten  spars,  yon  fools,  and 
let  every  one  of  yon  help  himself  (o  a  ji;nn.  Sliek 
vonr  knives  handy  in  yonr  bells  and  eonui  after  me  ; 
we're  makinp;  a  trip  inland,  and  it's  like  we  mny  fall 
in  with  (luMn  that  needs  pnttinji;  down  thereaway;  so 
it  behooves  us  to  be  ready.  Hero,  INFarlin,  yon  nnisl  be 
one;  we  want  a  stron;i;  Ibree :  bnt  that  servant  of  yours, 
i\Ir.  Crot'ton,  may  bide  where  he  is  ;  he's  not  a  likely 
fellow  to  be  useful  in  a  set-down  fight.  If  I  have  to 
take  eommand,  1  like  pieked  men." 

"  You  take  a  eommand  !  "  eried  Sernton  ;  "  what  is 
the  meaniiiii;  of  this,  8hari>ley  ?  are  >ou  ineiting  my 
men  to  mutiny?  I  say,  1  must  have  it  foree  h'ft  here 
to  gu.''''d  my  j)roperty.  I'he  Indian  rolbof^  may  come 
down  any  moment  to  })lunder  us." 

Keep    a  ealm    tongue,  captain,"  replie(^    ihe   mate, 


(( 


pui 


runs  into  the  hands  of  the  okl  man,  the  tv  ♦  V*^, 


r^^mii- 


Or    TIIK    K(M:KY    MOHNTAINfl. 


41 


ilic  fiiu'  fj;('iill(Mn«'n,  imd  their  Htiipid  Horvniit ;  and  if 
you  don't  f'nll  out  and  shoot  one  another,  you'll  n>uy-l>e 
keep  <juit't  till  we  eorne  hack." 

It  was  in  vain  that  the  (h'posed  eaplaiii  retnon- 
stratod  jiihI  stortnec'  ;  tlm  men,  fortified  with  more  rum, 
whieh  they  oi>tained  hy  I'oree,  (lelyiuij;  the  HiMitiuels, 
tnrncMl  a  deaC  ear  to  the  eomtnauds  of  their  captain, 
and  joyCully  ahandoned  their  hard  and  unprolilai>le 
hihor  to  make  n  Haily  into  an  unknown  country,  enjoy- 
ing the  idea  of  a  saihjr's  hohday  aHhore,  a  run  on 
hind. 

The  passenn;ers  had  neither  the  ri^ht  nor  the  wish  to 
interf«'re  in  this  movement;  and  though  Mr.  Rodney 
felt  slightly  indignant  at  his  summary  dismissal  hy  the 
mate,  lie  could  not  hut  allow  that  the  command  of  the 
expediti(m  was  jdaced  in  l)ett<u'  hands  than  his  own. 
Even  Dick,  who  had  alwiiys  )>een  ohe(hent  and  r<'Sj)ect- 
ful  to  Captain  Scruton,  said  to  him  now,  ni'Wr  a  short 
consideraticm,  —  "I  think,  captain,  if  so  he  you  don't 
countermand,  I'd  better  nuike  one  on  Vin.  I  can  keep 
an  eye  on  these  here  loose  hands.  Depend  on  me 
coming  back  to  duty  if  I  live  ;  and  mind,  you  lads, 
look  out  sharp,  and  fire  away  if  ye  get  a  sight  of 
piiates  making  down  on  you." 

In  a  few  minutes  the  party  had  ascended  the  cliffs 
and  disappeared,  leaving  the  weak  force  below  in  great 
apprehension  for  themselves,  and  considerably  a1arme(? 
about  the  result  of  the  expedition ;  Captain  Scruton 
especially,  unable  by  his  single  efforts  to  rescue 
more  of  the  wreck,  and  the  flowing  tide  preventing 
further  attempts,  sat  down  among  his  ruined  hopes, 
gazing  on  the  wreck  and  th3  remorseless  sea  in  muta 
despair  • 

4* 


r'mm 


\M^ 


42 


TIU'",    HIlAll-IlliNTKIJS 


M  h 


iir.f 


Ah  tlu^  woiiUMi  W(M'o  (Mii|>loy('(l  in  ImiIImii^  (^lofloii's 
Toot,  hv  looked  |)«'nit<Milly  at  liis  liil»)r,  iind  said,  "  I 
my,  Rodney,  my  Iw'st  tVirinl,  I  know  V\o,  alwnys  Immih 
*  lliorn  in  yonr  skirts,  but  liavrn't  1  i^imo.  and  dotu»  it 
now,  graceless  that  I  anu  I  have  hronght  yon  from 
yonr  pleasant  homo  in  a  erji/y  vessel,  to  be  wre«'ked, 
frozen,  lUmished,  and  1  suppose,  at  hist,  to  bo  8ealpe<l 
and  devoured  by  savages.  I'm  a  model  pupil,  now,  am 
I  not?" 

"Truly,  my  dear  Harold,"  answered  bis  tutor,  "as 
usual,  you  have  been  too  imprudent,  and  1  have  been 
tiH)  cou'plying  ;  but  retrospection  is  at  once  vexatious 
and  usehVss.  The  voyage,  though  not  abundantly  eon«- 
forlable.  has  not  been  without  interest  for  me.  Thf. 
WHH'k  was  th(^  decn'o  of  God;  and  ought  we  not  to  be 
l^rateful  that  whei-e  many  were  lost,  we  were  merci- 
fully prv'served  ?  If  your  foot  was  in  better  condition, 
I  do  not  see  but  we  are  exactly  in  the  position  you 
desire*  ,  my  boy.  You  have  your  guns  and  your 
servant^  a  tolerabh^  stock  of  provisions,  and  aroinul  you 
mountains  and  woods,  that  doubtless  abound  in  game. 
If  we  had  but  a  more  convenient  and  comfortable 
dwelling,  you  might  pursue  your  favorite  sport  to  your 
heart's  content,  and  I  would  be  your  companion  and  fag, 
as  usual." 

"  But,  my  dear  old  fellow,"  said  Harold,  "  I  never 
iieant  a  barren  desert  to  be  the  scene  of  our  sporting 
adventures ;  now  we  must  try  to  make  the  best  of  it. 
What  do  you  think  of  that  foot,  Peggy,  how  soon  can 
you  make  nie  walk  upon  it?" 

"Is  it  walk  on  it?  "screamed  Peggy;  "sure,  your 
honor  wouldn't  be  thinking  of  misusing  this  blessed 
)bot,  and  it  being  a;*  big  as  a  pig's  head.     Sorra  a  step 


OF    TlIK    KOLKlf    MOUNIAINH. 


48 


will  ytt  I/O  Htrppiurr  for  weeks  fo  coriu',  l)aniii'  yo  be  let* 
tin'  in«  huvo  my  way  all();^(>lli(M-,  and  pull  in'  on  llie 
powltice  of  the  male  as  that  ni^i^nr  of  a  eaplin  wan 
grnd^in',  and  he  makin'  y<5  put  dowrj  the  ^owld  lor  the 
xame,  the  thale  of  tlw;  world,  all  her  havin'  your  money 
loni;   aiorehand." 

Harold  (groaned  at  the  discoiira^in;;;  words  of  IiIh 
nurse,  and  tossed  restlessly  on  his  comfortless  couch,  till 
Mary  j^ently  said, — 

"  Would  your  honor  be  spaking  to  Mr.  Marlin  ?  suro 
isn't  he  the  nale  hand  with  the  hanuner  and  nails,  and 
wouldn't  he  be  eonthriving  a  hand-barrow  out  of  all  yon 
wreck  of  wood?  and  hasn't  Mike,  the  boy, just  now 
pulled  out  of  the  say  an  illegant  little  matthress,  as  was 
belonging  to  poor  Norah  I'yrne  and  her  dead  babby, 
and  she  herself  not  nading  it  now,  seeing  her  bed  is  the 
bottom  of  the  say  ?  Wouhln't  we  be  dhryin*  it,  mother 
dear,  and  be  layin'  it  on  the  barrow  as  Dick  will  be 
making?  Th(!i»,  sure,  Will  and  Dick  will  be  the  boys 
as  will  be  proud  to  be  carryin*  his  homier." 

Crofton  was  amused  at  the  idea  of  bciirig  carried  on  a 
hand-barrow,  like  a  bale  of  goods  ;  but  Rodney  thought 
the  plan  feasible:  it  was,  at  all  events,  (hisirable  to  seek 
a  more  sheltered  situation  from  the  wintry  wind  than 
the  open  coast.  Mary  was  therefore  requested  to  dry 
the  mattress,  and  William  was  empowered  to  treat  with 
Captain  Scruton,  carrying  money  in  hand,  for  the  pur- 
chase of  some  blankets,  he  having  a  bale  of  them  among 
his  rescued  freight.  But  Captain  Scruton  was  now 
watching  the  tide,  to  snatch  up  any  fragment  of  wreck, 
and  could  not  attend  to  him  ;  and  William  was  glad  to 
sunmion  Mike  and  the  women  to  aid  him  in  buryiojai 
uiore  of  th'e  bodies  washed  ashore. 


%i 


Till",    nKAU-IM'NTKlJS 


"  An(I  when'  will  I*iil  bo  n\  ihU  pn'scul  ? "  !i'^kr«1 
Pt'fTirv  ;  "  suiM»,  li(»M  tioi  !»(»  nmniir  olV  willi  (lu-m 
Huilor  mm,  to  he  ki«lM;i|>|M>(l  wiili  ili<>  snv)i;j;i'««.  ( )rluni«'  1 
Marv,  t!<'!U',  how  will  I  ivcj*  he  iMcinir  his  (h'lid  iimihcr 
R^aiii  ill  ll<>tiV(M)  iihovi',  av  I  h<'  losiiijr  her  own  hoy,  lh»» 
onitiir?" 

TIh'v  woro  all  cortuiji  ihal  iho  wijil  hul  hiul  jjoik*  off 
with  (ho  sail«)r8  (ill  lalo  in  the  day,  wIhmi  Willintii.  hav- 
i\\\l,  prcvaih'd  on  Sonilon  lo  ioikIucc  (he  hiankris  lor  a 
(UM'lain  I'onsidci  ill  ion,  made  his  way  Ihroii^h  (ho  piles  of 
|)ai'ka}];es  lo  ohfain  (Ih-iu,  and  catnc  snddotdy  (tti  (lie 
lillh'  uri'hin,  lyin};  on  (he  ^pound  ashM'p  of  inscnsi- 
hh\  liCavinj;  the  hlankcls,  William  ('an}j;hl  np  the  hoy, 
and  hi-on<;h(  him  lo  IN\u}2;y.  who  Hhrickrd  onf,  snp|)os- 
ini;  hiin  to  he  dead.  \\\\{  tho  child  hicallH'd  and  ovon 
Knorotl,  tlunijih  tln^y  oowld  not  wake  him,  till  Harold. 
h>okin«i^  at  him.  <h'olarod  that  he  had  been  diinkin;;,  and 
dirootod  tluMn  to  throw  a  hu«'k(M  of  water  ovei-  him. 
This  ehillinfjj  application  elVeelnally  ronsed  him  ;  he 
o|)ene»l  his  eyes,  hH»ked  wildly  around,  hut  did  not  speak 
for  some  (imo. 

"  Worra,  thin,"  exolaiined  IVj^jiy,  **  what  will  yo  bo 
doinj;,  ye  bird  of  ill  Inok  ?  Will  it  bo  the  rum  ye'd 
bo  thryin',  yc  little  thafo?" 

The  lad  seemed  to  have  some  pleasant  reeolleotion, 
and  bojran  to  chuckle  with  an  iminsh  delight  .is  he  said 
to  Crofton,  "  Won't  he  bo  swarin'  and  stam])in',  and  me 
t<^»llin'  liim  it  wore  yer  honner  as  was  settin'  me  on  to 
do  that  same ;  and  sure  yo'll  not  be  lettin'  him  bate  me 
for  it  at  all,  thin,  yer  honner." 

"  Ye've  been  twisting  that  poison,  Pat,"  said  IVfary, 
*  and  shame  on  yer  mother's  son  for  tiiat  same." 

"Was  it   Uistin',  thin,  Mary?'    answered    the   boy. 


or    TIIK    IMK'KT    MOUNTAINS. 


i!i 


e\i 


"SoriH  H  (hmIc  WH-*  I  iMsliii'  (if  llmf  >^hiii«' ;  Iml  ili'In'f.  f 
(\\<r  II  I  (tic  iti  tlw  Itij;  liHiTol  vvilli  l>i('k'rt  «;iml«'f,  and  cliip 
it  roiMni  willi  my  kiiif'r,  ntnl  Iri  in  h  loii^  <'Im|»  for  a 
8|>i>iil  :  liiiii  v/tHii'l  I  liiii;^liiii^  liiiil  (Iniiriri*^  (o  m>(>  it  run 
(Mif,  till  sure  iriy  IhmuI  wih  tiirniii*  nmiid,  mikI  ivrr  ythii:;* 
#'Ih('  whs  liiiiiifr  roiiiid,  nn«i  hmi  iiiv<T  kpowiii'  Ikjw  I  ^ot 
lirns  nt  nil,  at  all!" 

It  was  plain  that  llic  miscliirvdus  l»oy,  fMicfuira^^^'d  hy 
(!r(ifton's  wish  to  run  ^^\\'  tJH!  spirit,  had  srcn-liy  (on- 
trivcd  to  tap  llm  h(><.rsh('ad  l»y  Ihr  aid  of"  Dick's  tools, 
iuhI  that  the  Inrncs  oi'  tin;  rutn,  m  it,  ran  out,  had  iritoxi- 
catrd  and  stiipdicd  him.  'I'hcy  did  not  think  it  pnw 
dent  to  name  the,  Khs  of  tlu^  spirit  to  Scnifon  at  that 
tiinc,  as  lu^  was  still  walchinjif  dejectedly  and  anxiously 
at  th(^  iM|nr(.  of  the.  water  for  nion;  wreck.  Tlie  sehool- 
master,  however,  th(Mi<^ht  it  his  duty  to  reprove  the  hoy 
lor  the  deed. 

"  Wasn't  it  all  one  as  stealing,  ye  vaf^ahond,"  paid 
he,  "  and  was  it  inindirifj^  your  catechism  ye  wfre,  and 
ncpial  to  it  y(!  are,  and  a  raal  janitis,  if  ye'd  sthrive, 
l)arrin;jj  the  A  II  C  you're  so  lon^  in  «;ettin'  thronj^h. 
Airah,  then,  hoy,  if  it  were,  in  ould  Ireland  we  were  at 
this  present,  isn't  it  tlie  hircli  I'd  he  givin'  you  in  full 
measure.  Sure,  Mr.  Rodney,  isn't  it  Kin^  Solomon 
Iiimself  tliat  gives  out  his  vote  bouldly  for  that  same 
corporal  punishment,  and  don't  I  vote  with  him.  It's 
not  in  the,  nature  of  boy,  air,  to  be  drilled  a  id  filled  with 
fair  hirnin'  without  a  ta.ste  of  the  rod.  Sure  I'm  the 
man  to  be  Bpakin'  to  that,  seeing  I've  been  training 
these  same  boys  for  fifty  years,  and  nivcr  once  altherin' 
my  plans,  for  all  the  noise  about  education  in  the  world; 
and  hoping  you'll  te  agreeing  with  me,  Mr.  Rodney, 
8et!ln<r  we're  both  workin'  at  the  same  thra/le." 


46 


THK    BKAR-IIIJNTKKS 


Ml.  Rodney  did  not  look  gratified  at  the  appoal,  and 
was  silent.  He  iiad  no  desire  to  enter  on  a  controversy 
on  education,  and  moved  away,  leaving  the  old  man 
elated  with  his  own  superiority,  to  continue  his  leetuM 
to  the  perfectly  heedless  little  PaL 


f<    'U 


I 


1 


ii 


ii 


,^v 


<*^     IJIK    UOCKV 


MOliNTAlNS. 


47 


CllAPTKli   V. 

A  Snow^itonn  and  its  Ke8uk«  -ri     • 
So«„e  of  the  MuK.s«,.re  _('.,...       ,,  '"<'""P'-i'lunsibl«  B..y.~Th« 

"~::;£:;r::::;.^-;  «-•■.-.; , 

cares  about  llic  wreck    „,.)  ,        <  '"""  '"'•"'"'  ''w 

'"•»  "b,e„t  crew.      "st,.  "'"'"■"■'^  '"»  '"'^i'^'^  'o 

rock."  '""''  ''''fl^-  winch  seem  all  sobd 

.^s;^ ' ''M:::;":;;;t  ri' '"  ;'""'"•''' »"  •"• 

•"'«"•     Wouldn't  it  b.  the  Z:  „;  n"  ^"'"    ''"^  «  ''««' 
«nd  cbikier,  aa  would  be  woh  ,  """'  ""'^  "'"'»<'". 

"  Woman,  ,he^  aCSd^  ^^ '''  ""'  "'  ""•' 

m»y  be  turned  Com'  rfT'  ^'"•'"°"-  "T''ey 
of  your  wretched  li^e  'wU  '  ?"'  """'''  •<«  "-e  u^ 
food?"  "'*"'  ""'"'out  mone^,  and  without 

*'  Sure,  then,  canfain  "      '^  -c. 
"sed  to-  and  God's  n.L?  °°^'  ""'''  »■'""  'veVe 

-<>  "-he  bitetrz  t  ;r  H- '''■''"'' "^'''"■''^■' 

oecause  wh^?  weren't  we  tll  r  •  "  T  ^"^  "'™«' 
"""<««•  at  all  the  en,pt/eL!v"        '"     ""'  "'"'  "'^«' 


■>\ :  'Si!; 


48 


THK    BKAK-HrNTKRS 


i:  I' 


I! 


"  Tliai's  a!i(tgeflier  .1  taste  of  a  sermon,  Peggy  Mau- 
rice," said  Dennis,  "  and  you're  the  woman  that's  not 
witiiout  a  spark  of  sinse  in  your  head,  and  won't  I  thry 
to  get  that  same  sinse  driven  into  Mike's  brair;,  tiie 
gossoon.  It's  nate  enough  he  comes  on  with  his  Latin, 
as  sure  he  ought,  he  resaving  his  Uirning  from  me, 
Dennis  O'lleiDy  ;  and  seeing  I'm  knowing  the  Latin 
tongue  aqual  to  your  English  bishops,  which  is  true  al- 
together.'' 

No  one  contradicted  the  assertion,  nor,  in  fact,  did 
any  one  listen  to  the  pompous  schoolmaster ;  for  more 
or  less  anxiety  pervaded  every  heart.  Nor  did  sleep 
visit  the  eyes  of  any,  except  the  satisfied  Dennis  and 
the  still  diowsy  Pat.  The  rest  watched  anxiously  y'lh. 
loaded  guis  at  hand;  William  and  Mike  would  gladly 
have  set  out  to  search  for  the  sailors,  but  the  night  was 
so  dark  that  such  a  plan  was  useless.  About  midnight, 
tiie  snow  began  to  fall  so  heavily  that  all  crept  shiver- 
ing beneath  their  imperfect  shelter,  unable  even  to  keep 
up  a  fire  to  warm  them.  No  sound  but  the  howling 
wind  broke  through  the  silence  of  night,  and  long  and 
dreary  seemed  the  hours,  till  the  watchers  thankfully 
welcomed  the  daylight,  obscured  as  it  was  by  the  thick- 
fallirg  snow  which  now  covered  the  ground. 

"  Now  Mike  and  I  shou'ld  go  off  to  seek  the  men," 
said  William ;  "  and  perhaps,  Mr.  Crofton,  you  will  be 
so  good  as  to  lend  us  guns,  for  Captain  Scruton  has 
refused  to  supply  us.  Dick  told  us  the  mate's  plan 
was  to  make  due  east ;  so,  if  we  follow  them  and  fire 
off  our  guns  now  and  then,  the  sound  may  guide  them 
right,  for  it's  likely  they'll  have  gone  astray  in  the 
storm." 

**  You'd  better  not  lend  them  guns,  Mr.  Crofton,"  Eaid 


f       i-*!"!'!! 


OF    THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


49 


ling 


Uaid 


Scruton  ;  "what  do  these  boys  know  about  the  coast, 
which  swarms  with  half-starved  Indiana,  always  on  the 
watch  for  plunder.  The  sound  of  the  firearms  will 
attract  the  wretches  to  our  very  camp,  and  expose  na 
to  utter  ruin." 

"  Yet  the  sailors  must  be  sought  for,  Captain  Scru- 
ton," said  Mr.  Rodney ;  "  it  was  for  our  advantage  that 
they  should  make  the  expedition,  and  we  cvi  bound  to 
aid  them  if  they  are  in  distress.  But,  on  due  consid- 
eration, I  am  the  proper  person  to  fulfil  this  duty ;  the 
boys  are  young  ;  one  is  rash,  and  he  must  remain  with 
you,  Harold.  William  Arncliffe  and  I,  two  steady 
fellows,  will  set  out ;  and  ve  are  not  likely  to  fall  into 
danger." 

Captain  Scruton  murmured  at  their  imprudence : 
Harold  was  agitated  at  the  risk  to  his  friend  ;  Mike 
was  bitterly  disappointed ;  and  the  women,  of  course, 
wept :  but  the  two  volunteers  were  not  to  be  deterred, 
and,  with  large  cloaks  to  protect  themselves  and  their 
guns  from  the  storm,  they  climbed  the  cliflfs,  now  rather 
a  difficult  undertaking,  for  the  snow  was  frozen  on  the 
bushes  which  they  were  compelled  to  grasp.  Then 
they  looked  over  a  wide  extent,  grown  over  with  I  »w 
bushes,  and  saw  one  undulating  surface  of  white  snow 
to  cross  which  was  no  easy  task ;  for  the  deep  snov , 
yielding  under  their  steps,  continually  plunged  the' a 
amidst  the  thorny  bushes.  From  these  slips  William 
was  somewhat  protected  by  his  thick  hide  boots ;  but 
the  light  and  fashionable  boots  of  Mr.  Rodney  were  an 
indifferent  defence  against  the  sharp  thorns.  Arriving 
amongst  taller  trees,  they  rested  under  the  shelter  of  a 
thick  ev«;rgreen  to  consider  what  course  to  take,  and 
whether  it  would  now  be  prudent  to  fire  a  signal- gur-, 

6 


50 


THK    BKAR-HUNTKRS 


Hap|)(niii«^  (o  look  round,  Mr.  Rodney  snddonly  ^aW 
the  odd  goblin-like  fa:e  of  the  bareheaded  Pat  griming 
throufi^h  the  trtics. 

"  The  boy  is  incomprehensible,"  exclaimed  Mr.  Rod- 
ney. "  How  came  you  here,  you  audacious  little 
vilUiin?" 

The  boy  gave  a  low  chuckle  of  triumph,  and  then, 
chiMiging  his  countenance,  he  whisj)ered :  "  would  he 
be  nauthering  ivery  one  of  them,  that  black-hearted 
Sharplv'y.  Sure,  didn't  I  find  Dick's  own  hammer  for 
your  honner,  and  no  more  at  all?  " 

And  Pat  produced  a  pocket  hannner,  which  William 
identified  as  the  property  of  Dick,  and  which,  it  seemed, 
the  little  sharj)-eyed  scapegrace  h.'ul  found  in  tlu;  wood 
they  were  now  c;ifering  on,  to  wliich  he  had  secretly 
followed  them,  as  he  had  said,  only  "tobeseein'  the 
fun."  The  hammer,  however,  though  it  showed  the 
incii  had  passed  this  spot,  was  no  proof  that  they  had 
becti  murdered,  and  the  pursuers  carefully  looked  round 
them  for  some  traces  of  them.  The  sudw  had  completely 
hidden  their  track,  but  the  sharp  eyes  of  Pat  occasion- 
ally detected  a  broken  branch  which.  nu\rked  tlu;  passage 
of  some  one  above  the  height  of  a  wolf,  the  footsteps 
of  wliich  animal  they  had  certainly  seen.  At  length 
they  came  to  a  small  opening  in  the  wood,  cleared  by 
fire,  of  which  traces  still  remained,  and  where  the  snow 
M'as  melted,  probably  by  the  warmth  which  the  ground 
still  retained.  They  paused  a  moment,  and  Rodney 
shuddered  as  he  said,  — 

"  Truly,  William,  I  am  no  coward,  but  my  very 
blood  seems  to  fret'ze  on  this  spot,  from  some  undelinable 
cau«<e.  Can  it  be  possible  that,  as  the  boy  suggested, 
the  savage  mate  ha.«  murdered  his  companions?" 


ii  *■• 


or    tHK    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


51 


[ps 
rth 

Ly 

[y 


17 

)le 


"He  couldn't  do  that,  air,"  replied  WilHan^  "they 
were  five  to  one;  anJ,  moreover,  he  wouldn't;  bceauae 
there  was  nothing  to  be  got  by  it.  I  feel  a  bit  afraid 
myself,  sir,  of  going  farther ;  but  then  we're  like  to  do 
our  duty." 

Pat,  however,  had  no  fears;  he  went  spying  nboul 
among  tiie  thick  pine-trees  on  all  sides,  and  suddenly 
sprung  buck  fmm  a  clump,  and,  witii  termr  painted  on 
bis  countenance,  pointed  to  the  place  from  whence  he 
had  issued,  and  seizing  Mr.  Rodney  by  the  cloak,  clung 
to  him,  apparently  unable  to  speak. 

"Make  ready  your  gun,  William,  and  follow  me," 
said  Mr.  Rodney,  now  completely  roused  to  energy,  and 
they  entered  the  wood  prepared  for  action  ;  but  what 
was  their  horror  to  see  lying  on  the  snow  a  heap  of 
bleeding  corpses.  For  a  moment  they  felt  paraiy/ed  ; 
then,  remembering  the  duty  they  were  pledged  to  per- 
form, they  proceeded,  in  dresd,  to  examine  the  bodies. 
All  were,  too  certainly,  quite  dead,  pierced  with  arrows, 
and  scalped,  and  it  was  with  difficulty  they  recognized 
the  features  of  the  four  sailors ;  but  no  trace  of  the 
mate  or  of  Dick  Marlin  could  be  seen,  and  they  hoped 
tliat  these  two  men  had  at  least  escaped.  The  bodies 
had  been  completely  stripped,  and  the  clothes  and  guna 
carried  off:  to  obtain  this  booty,  in  all  probability,  the 
Indians  had  murdered  them. 

"  Should  we  Lury  them  sir  ? "  asked  William, 
weej  ing. 

"  We  must  not  r*»mala  here  to  do  it,"  answered  Mr. 
Rodney,  "  we  must  not  sacrifice  the  living  for  the  dead ; 
V/e  must  at  once  return,  and  induce  Captain  Scruton  to 
leiwe  this  dangerous  neighborhood  ;  though  how  we  aro 


ft2 


TIIK     .KAI{-IH'!»iT?n?< 


Mu 


m  mk 


\o  liHVcl,  !\\u\  wliitlior  w«»  nro  lo  Imn  rir  fh'p^,  !  know 
nol.      li»M  us  loii\M>  ihis  ImIjiI  spol." 

"  Smo,  (hiu,  vrr  IioumM."  m'u\    Pal,  "  \v«>iililn'l    Dick 
ho  <Mi\pinij  h1)()\M    ainono^   llio  thicos   lor   i'nir  ol'  ihcin 


rotrn<>s  r 

'*  ll  n\!\y  ho  so.  riH,"  juiswim'imI  Mr.  KoiIimm',  "yot  wfi 
must  not  i\\'o  i\  sifjnul  lo  rorall  iho  niurdrrcrs." 

Pal  no«l<lo«i  kiiowiujulv,  !ii»«l  iminrdiMlcly  In'f^nri  to 
whistlr  his  thvoriti"  nir,  "  CIumt,  hoys!  CIhmm-  !"  niul  in 
\\  (o\\  ntinntcs  his  signal  was  topliiMJ  lo  by  ihr  Mpuciir- 
nnoo  oi'  Dick,  \y.\\o  and  hajzjianl,  who  o\n\\\v{\  out  Iroin 
nnndsl  \ho  snow-oovcnMl  nn»h'rN>oo(l. 


\lOi\ 


von. 


\\y\\i  yon  he  anohorinii;  on  this  amn'srd  spot,  INIr. 
\\c\  y  said   ho.  in  a  hnnicd  tono  ;  "and   («od   hh'ss 


sir,  Tor  oom  injj  on  I  lo  look  al]<'r  ns  ;  ihonjrh  it's  a 
hit  ovor  lalo.  Min'dcr  and  hlood.  and  nolhinji  vUo,  will 
iNM\n^  on  ns  if  we  hide  h(M*<» ;  and  it  nnist  havo  l»M'n  (Jod 
hin^soH'  put  it  into  this  poor  lad's  h«'ad  to  whist  lo  mo 
honnily.  an«i  'tioo  n\p  ont  of  oovor." 

Thov  wailod  no  Iomjum'  lo  listiMi  lo  Div'k's  n'pral«'d 
inpnuMions  for  tliixhl.  but  hastily  loll  the  hlood-slainod 
cloariuij,  and  nMraoed  tluir  path  to  lln^  coa^t,  njoioinfr 
in  tho  hlindinij  snow,  which  nnist  hide  their  trail  ;  and, 
candors  of  thorns.  th<\v  now  pinniped  ihro'i^h  the  hushes. 

"  My  iniprivsion  is,"  said  Mr.  Rodney,  as  they  pro- 
ceeded, "that  wo  arc  sate  iVoni  pursuit  as  louij  as  th« 
Miow  tails;  I'or  I  know  that  these  mielothed  Indians 
shrink  from  the  storm  even  more  than  iheir  fellow- 
creatures  who  are  cloliied  at'ter  the  civilized  custoni." 

I    Dick,     "(icxl 


"  r 


Phal's  a   hit  of  ixocnl  news,  sir, 


sai( 


keep  ihesc  villains  long  from  our  trail  ;  hut   they'll  b« 
iix)uhled  if  (h'^y  miss  lighting  m»  our  nKH>rings." 


OP   rmo   mM  KT   MucNrAiNw. 


r>.'} 


.1 


1x1 


III  mil  Ii  h«Rs  fimn  tlinii  liny  Inul  rrtnii'  out,  lli^y 
rnM(l««  Ihcii"  W)iy  hark  \n  llii'ir  cominiiiioiH,  mid  M'liif'M'tl 
tln'iif  l»y  (lie  rcrilnl  oC  (hi>^  (crrililc  mlvfiifiirf.  (Irolhui 
(•li(ir«'il  iiimIci-  |li^  forcj-d  limcfivily,  as  ho  l(«»kr(|  nf  Ii'h 
swollni  loot,  niid  llif  rnptMiii  ^ronnrd  mm  ho  r«»iitrrii- 
phih'd  his  jtih»  of  itscimmI  wrcrk,  (hoii^h  ho  now  fidf 
liitiiMcIf  that,  it  w<Hihl  ho  innrhuvis  to  nMnaiii. 

"Now  toll  IIS,  Dick,"  said  (Jrol'loii,  "how  this  wuis- 
wu'io  happciM'd,  and  wlial,  h/is  htcomo  of  our  surly 
male?" 


J   cannot   hide  to  hc;u'  of  him,  lo^iic  a^  ho  \> 


<ai( 


1 


and  it's  my  thinking  he's  8oiihl  his  sowl   to   the 


10   hinisc 


or   ho   woujfhi  t.    havo  <'omo  ofr    snio 


ih 


I)i<>k; 

hml   oi 

whon  all  yon  poor  lollows  vvcni  out.  to  hits.      Not   a  hit 

did    h(^  caro   lor    hoarin^r   them   Khoiit  (or  (piiirtor,   hut 

walked  oir  laughing  at  Iho   head  of"  his   hhick  c/ow,  liko 

an  admiral  with  his  (loot  jit  his  hack." 

"  I  cannot  understand  this,  Marlin,"  said  Scrnton. 
"  Mow  did  the  enon»y  como  down  on  you  —  and  did  not 
Sharploy  make,  a  proper  dof'ence,  ?  " 

"  Delenco,  was  it,  Captain?"  answered  Dick.  "  Not 
ho  ;  it  wor(^  all  ^ot  up  as  they  would  run  alore  t\\v.y 
nailiMl,  and  1  jealoused  it,  and  saw  a8  how  all  alon;^  as 
W(5  marched,  they  wer»;  colhxpiinj;^  fo;^ethor,  and  min- 
douhtin^  me,  and  ihrovvinj;;  an  evil  oye  on  mo.  riion 
lie,  tii(!  had  doi^,  ho  says  to  me, '  Mailin,'  says  he,,  •  won't 
they  ho  doini^  hadly  without  you  yoncUr  at,  tho  porr.  and 
you  snoii  u  lirst-ralo  hand,  and  titter  (or  a  captain  nor  a 
HJiip  car|)('nt(M'?  *  says  iio.  i  saw  plain  what  ho  warned, 
just  to  set  my  hloud  up,  and  eji;*^  ino  on  to  fi^ht  hin», 
that  he  mi^lil  have  a  hoiild  on  ine.  liut  it  wouldn't  do 
by  no  means.  *  Dick,  my  lad,'  says  I  to  my-elf,  ♦  thos*^ 
here  arc  isharpidi  lollows,  hut  they  ro  not  .-harper  noi 


'  I- 


■  il 
1 


1 


I  if 


r.' 


54 


THE    BEAR-HUNTERS 


canny  Yorksh.re.*  So  I  keeps  a  quiet  tonjjde  and 
whistles  whiles ;  and  when  we  gets  to  yon  wood,  I  puts 
a  tree  or  two  atween  us,  for  I  kens  my  chaps.  Then 
they  set  'era  down,  and  out  with  their  meat  and  their 
bottle  ;  for  you  see,  sharp  as  our  captain  is,  they  were 
the  fellows  as  had  managed  to  victual  their  boat  well  ; 
and  yet  the  niggers  niver  piped  me  up  to  have  a  bite  in 
their  mess,  but  sniggered  over  their  rations,  and  threw 
out  queer  words,  quite  whispering  like.  *  Halloo,'  thinks 
I,  '  here's  mutiny  ahead  ; '  so  I  makes  as  if  I  were 
walking  off,  but  I  creeps  back  under  them  thick  bushes 
as  keeps  on  their  leaves  summer  and  winter,  till  I 
comes  right  aback  on  'em,  and  hears  Shar[)ley  say, 
*This  fellow's  not  a  bit  of  use,  he'd  niver  drive  in  a 
nail  for  us,  and  he's  sure  to  peach  on  us.  We  mu-^t  get 
rid  01  him  first,  and  when  we  have  all  the  rest  sound 
sleeping  at  night,  we'll  come  down  on  them  and  quieten 
them  all.  You  can  shoulder  all  that's  worth  carrying 
off,  lads,  and  I'll  steer  you  into  a  good  port  that  doesn't 
lie  so  far  off  as  they  think,  but  I  wasn't  bound  to  tell  all 
that.  Then  you  hear,  lads,  I'm  Captain  Scruton,  and  I 
come  in  for  my  halves,  and  you'll  come  well  off;  there's 
heaps  for  all.  Scruton's  a  regular  sly  old  rogue,  he  has 
gold  and  bills  as  will  set  us  all  up  for  a  good  bit.  Now 
then  you're  all  to  swear  to  be  true  to  me,  and  work  out 
my  orders.'  Then  the  fools  all  swore  to  it,  a;id,  rogues 
as  they  were,  I  seed  it  in  every  fellow's  face  as  how  he 
meant  to  have  all  to  himself;  but  it  were  ordered  other- 
v/ise.  Just  as  I  were  considering  over  to  myself  how  I 
should  tack  about  and  crowd  sail  to  make  homeward, 
and  let  you  into  their  tricks,  I  sees,  right  among  some 
b'ishes,  a  bit  of!  me,  a  pair  (^f  glassy  black  een  that  I 
were  sure  were  niver  set  in  buffalo  or  wolf's  head,  and 


i    I 


O"   THE    KOCKr  «n,,,,TA,N,. 


.  53 

of  "HOWS   like  „   hniuZL        '  """"^ '''^  »  sUo.of 

Wed  .0  come  at  thei, 'C"  w      '''  '^'"■"'^^   <"«•  '""' 

""•/<!  "0  time  left  fo,C  %:":  T'  """'"  "  "•-•  >"•■ 

-  «e,  one's  hair  on  an  e„j      '^    ,'  '^''''''S  '•"•<'  J-Hing 

"7-  ceaters  daubed  o  t  4:    '  m  ''r"  "  ^•'■-  "^ 

°el"-e.loped„„uh>mamon",.I  V       "'  """  ^'^""^ 
"«"'«  gun.  a,  if  ,|,er-d  bef  '^ ^".  f*^''' ""<'  '""'nelled  our 

"7  on  hi,  head,  and  baud"  Tut         ,'    """  "'  ''""-- 
'»'k  T"ite  friendly  like.  '"'"^'  ""J  «»''«  to 

"  I  wasn't  minding  what  ib,., 
shaking  every  h„,b  t  me    o  ^,  ""f  "^''"-  '"-  ^  -ere 
gathered  round  our  men    alT      "'"  '"''-""'  "-'"e^ 
heads   while   they   were   livi  "^  ""''••'  "'^  "'-" 

--cy.and  Sharpleyle  „"«/""    ■'"-"-»   <>"'    <br 
on  and  laughing  with    LTf     ,      ''''"«  '^'"  >»"  'a'ki"- 
«""g  away  them  car!a  L    tllf  ?',  ^"""'-     T'^'  "-; 
■""ong  t-hushes,  and  .a    'e„  j!'^™'';  ""''  ""'^'ving  i„ 
«"d  '-o^ber  fellow,  and     1,  o„  Z"  "'""f  «■'"'  ^''-P'ey 
"ouglu  had  happened.     aJ  ^  " '!"'  '"'"""«'  »'  ''f 
;P'"-ed  .'biggest  Lgue  amt^  'Z2'''T''-^  -  '-<« 
them  murdering  savages  in  ,  "  '™S  ""''ile  to 

«'  Sharpley  as'  if  1^ "     e,"""   '"°"'  -"  Po'n-ed 
punted  and  growled    aid  fi  ?        '*'""•     '^''«"   'hey 
.hen  anotherf  but    1:1  oVr,  "T  "''  ""^  -^'  -d 
"••a'  -i-  fear  and  wbaT  w  '  eoW  ^  "  "''"''"  "'  "'  »"" 
gether,  and  can  tell  v.-  ,        "''  "^  senses  alto- 

heared  that  young  rog'urwbilf  "f'  ''"P"""^"  "'"  I 
•ny^elf  it  ,ere  aM  a  C!  '  ""^  ""^''  ^  'hought  to 
yon  bloody  eorpses.'-  '""'"'  ""  ^  ««'  "7  eyes  on 


In 


•< 


56 


THE    BKAR-IIUNTKKS 


The  miraculous  escape  of  Dick  wjis  aokno\vl('<l<;(Ml  I)y 
his  friends  as  a  providential  mercy  to  warn  tliem  of  the 
dangers  impending  ovt;r  them,  and  every  voice  was  now 
raised  to  urge  on  Cap'.ain  Scruton  the  necessity  of  im- 
mediate removal. 

"  Come,  John,  my  lad,"  said  Dick,  "  and  lend  us  a 
hand  to  get  up  a  barrow  for  your  master.  We'se 
manage  to  carry  him  cannily,  wi'  a  bit  help  from  Mike 
and  Will.  And  be  gatherin'  up  your  duds,  bonnie 
Wv^i'^sn,  ir.to  bags ;  we'se  all  have  to  be  heavily 
freighted." 

Scruton  turned  with  reluctaiice  to  groan  and  murmur 
over  his  cumbrous  and  useless  property ;  he  secured 
about  his  person  all  that  he  reckoned  most  valuable,  and 
slowly  portioned  oat  the  rest;  and  after  Dennis  and 
the  women  had  tied  up  such  small  p'  ssessioiis  a.  the 
sea  had  left  them,  they  assisted  Will  am  and  Mike  to 
make  up  bags  of  biscuit,  Hour  and  bacon,  reluctantly 
yielded  up  by  the  mean  captain. 

"  Do  you  not  see,  Captain  Scruton,"  said  Mr.  Rodney, 
"  that  all  these  willing  people  will  consent  to  carry  away, 
is  In  fact  so  much  gained  by  you  ?  Whfitever  is  left 
behind  must  inevitably  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  In- 
dians who  will  be  guided  hither  by  your  treacherous 
mate  as  soon  as  the  storm  ceases.  Here,  Peggy,  I  will 
consign  to  you,  from  ovr  own  stores,  all  the  tea  and 
sugar  that  you  and  Mary  will  undertake  to  carr^. 
And  ought  we  not  to  provide  ourselves  with  aome  of 
that  very  indifferent  ship-water  ?  " 

"  Water  it   is,  Mr.  Rodney,"  said   Dick,  "  for   afore 
this  snow  came  down,  tvery  b\]sh  ard  tree  looke(^  as 
dry  as  a  bone  ;  I  reckon  they  suck  up  little  water  here 
away." 


OF    THK    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


r>? 


"  I   .4u)iild  like  to  take  all   my  rifles  and   fowlinfj- 
picrrs."  said  Harold,  "for  we  oiijiht  to  have  plenty  of 
arms  and  ammunition.     I  see  Captain  Scriiton  ha«   a 
('}i])ital  supply  of  muskets  for  you  all.     But  be   <liarp, 
my  men,  and  j:^et  on  with  that  litter." 

"  It's  all  but  done,  sir,"  vsaid  John,  "and,  Mr.  Marlin, 
lie's  framed  it  a  bit  big«;er  than  were  needed ;  to  hand 
yer  p:ims,  and  yer  portmantle,  and  dressing-box,  and 
such  like,  that  ye'd  ill  manage  without." 

Two  hours  after,  the  rough  litter  was  comf>leted,  mat- 
tress and  blankets  arranged  upon  it,  and  Harold  had 
taken  possession  ;  around  him  were  stowed  packages  of 
all  kinds,  arms,  and  ammunition.  IStr.  Rodney  bravely 
shouldered  his  portmanteau,  and  carried  a  rifle,  powder- 
flask,  and  bullet-bag.  All  the  men  were  similarly 
armed,  and  men  and  women  were  laden,  in  fact  over- 
laden, with  burdens ;  for  at  the  last  moment  Scruton 
would  gladly  have  carried  every  thing  off,  and  was  him- 
self scarcely  able  to  crawl  under  his  heavy  lading. 
Even  Pat  had  a  knapsack  on  his  back,  which  he  was 
suffered  to  fill  as  he  chose,  and  rejoiced  in  the  privilege 
of  turning  over  the  stores  and  appropriating  any  thing 
he  fancied  without  question.  Finally,  the  powder  and 
shot  which  they  were  unable  to  carry  ofT  they  carefully 
buried,  that  the  vile  Sharpley  might  not  employ  it 
against  them. 

It  was  a  work  of  time  to  draw  all  the  heavy  burdens 
up  tilt  cliffs,  and  to  carry  Crofton  without  accident; 
li  rr  amidst  falling  snow,  which  happily  obliterated 
theii  track,  the  wanderers  pursued  their  blinl  course, 
keeping  as  close  to  the  shore  rs  the  rugged  rocky  cliffs 
would  allow,  and  marching  south,  in  ^he  faint  hope  of 
coaling  to  som(i  ri'er  which  might  guid«}  them  to  the 


an 


Tin    in-  \u  iii'M'i  iin 


('oIiuwIm.j.  of  \\\\'w\\  (Ih'v  Itrlif'vrd  lli.'v  \V('n»  '«lill  norlli. 
Slow  MDii  p;nt)|'iil  wiH  iIh'  |»rn|iir»<s  (l\t'\  niMili',  mid  imw 
Hiul  lIuMi  soino  hirklo^s  individim)  sunk  inln  n  liitldrii 
n\u\  \\\\<\\^\)0{'tvy\  liollow.  MtuI  i('i|nin"(l  lirlp  lo  rxlHfMli' 
liim  Ti^Mn  W\^  nnplrfisnnl  po^^iiii^n  ;  mh«1  l»iit  lor  llio  imtii- 
Inn  «lt'ol:nnnli«>ns  ol*  old  I  >t'ntii^,  nnd  llit>  clM't'iriil  lotpim'- 
ily  ot  ih«»  wonint,  tlu»  |>nM'«>nHion  would  \\\\\v  Ihcm  hm 
^>l«Mnn  :is  u  I'iimcimI. 

"Will  v«M-  liotnior  l»o  a^y  now  ?  "  ihIvimI  Po^j;}'  of 
i'i>>rioiK 

"  1  would  ir  1  oonld.  r-'fifiv."  nnswiM-cd  hr  ;  "  Mm* 
nuKtn'sr  is  soO,  and  tln»  joo-ii-t)!  i^  liMnlof  lor  luv  IxMir- 
rrs  than  lor  luo ;  1mi(  I  must  oonloss  I 
Know  ilinn  is  ni^riM-nMo  (o  luo." 

"  And  Man  nivor  niindin»y  lo  jolcli  awav  l»or  jtrnnnl 
now  innluclla  as  sIh»  was  bnyinj;  iti  Knjiland,"  said 
VoiTJiv,  *'  and  mo  nivtM*  darinir  lo  nso  thai  saino  all  lliiM 
linu\  larin  it  would  ho  ^idiu'  wol.  Woita,  Mary, 
wouldn't    it   slu'lilior  th<»   tua^^lor  av 


swallow   in»>ro 


»ud  wo  novor  solli 


n 


wo   W(Mo   havin'  it  ; 
oyos  on  it   inoro,  sooin|r  tl-.oni  siiv- 


»g«vs  Imd  luok  to  tluMu,  will  Ih'  oHrryin'  it  tft'. 


♦»^     IIIK 


'    ""♦''^'     ^"M-NlA.Nfl. 


/)• 


"■«'" i !;!,::;;  :"7i'" '•'■""-'- 

"■"v'll-iH   il,„„k(„||y  ,.,„„■     "'«'"  '■"""■"".  m,.l  ,1,0 

""•"' I j,Sz  :."'""'""""■'' "•" 

*"' "'"'.H    ,|.,„.    ,.,'     ' ,    '    '    " ""    '-    -nn,,,,.,,.,,.,, 

"'-^1 ^'"""H,K„Crv  "''"■""'■''•"'■'■'•''  "- 

''•"•"  '" I...i„/,,..,„r  ''^;,'""'  ''■•"'■""•''  11-  "no* 

'""••^''   «   «"'..'   «u,,"      !""■•'  '""^''"  "'"J  '''--'pre. 


*  . 


60 


TIIK    KI.AU-IIIJNTKUS 


'(' 


low  t<'n(s,  ami,  crowdrd  in  tlioso,  lay  down  to  rost,  with 
tlie  exception  of  two,  who,  well  arinetl,  wen^  left  to  keep 
watch,  for  fear  of  a  surprise',  uiid  to  fee«l  the  fire.  Tliey 
relieved  each  otiier  every  two  hours;  ai!<l  thoii^^h  the 
howlin;^  of  the  wolves  and  th<^  dr(»p  <!:row  Is  of  the  bear 
alarmed  them,  they  had  no  visitors,  and  morning  arose 
clear  and  cold,  to  light  them  on  their  perilous  and  aim- 
less journey. 

The  thick  pine-wood  was  a  desirable  sheller,  as  well 
from  the  bleak  wind,  as  from  the  observation  of  wan- 
dering Indians;  but  the  ground  was  so  encumbered 
with  thorns  and  entangled  brush,  that  it  was  impossible 
to  convey  the  litter  amongst  it ;  and  they  were  reluc- 
tantly compelled  to  seek  the  skirt  of  the  wood,  and 
move  along  a  narrow,  rugged,  '"ocky  hem  on  the  edge 
of  the  clitfs,  which  ran  along  iiie  coast,  undulating,  and 
8om(!times  descending  nearly  to  the  level  of  the  sea. 
When  they  set  out,  Dick  and  John  were  litter-bearers, 
and  William  and  Mike  preceded,  to  remove  obstacles, 
to  smooth  the  way  as  much  as  possible,  and  to  look 
round  for  any  danger.  They  had  not  marched  more 
than  three  miles,  when  the  pioneers  turned  back, 
making  a  signal  for  halting,  and  when  they  came  up, 
William  said  : 

"There  are  canoes  down  on  the  beach,  and  some 
savage-looking  women  seated  near  them,  who  seem  to 
be  employed  in  barbing  arrows  with  fish-bones,  of  which 
there  are  heaps  on  the  beach.  Mike  and  I  observed  all 
from  beliind  a  rock,  where  we  were  quite  unseen  our- 
Belves." 

Once  more  the  travellers  sought  the  wood,  plunging 
into  the  midst  before  they  paused  to  discuss  their  future 
proceedings.      "  You'd  better   come  to  anchor   herea- 


<"   THK    KocKT   MO„N,^,^3_ 


II 


"--■'•■^  n««  all   m„/,,,.„tT.;,    ^T"  '""'-■"'  I'-« 

"";^  -- J  rvi  like  :•,:"■;■  -^ "-"  -  "««•  .. 

'■«  ^'"f "- 1-.,,.,  p„i,„„,  t:;" '"'"'-  7'  <""  'owa,.d, 

"■"''•'■  "'"  Ihon,.,.  """^  *•""*"«".  <io,„  scrambling 

"  We're  i„  for  it 

«'"™"l  he,  a,  l,e  sl,ook  he  ,„„tV "  ?"  '"''"""-' ' "  e^- 
"«'«e  -ever  get  on  .!,„  „,:"'"  '.■"•  "  Anyhc. 
crew  they  are  of  u.|v-lo„kll  ""''""«•  ^  •""""•« 
on  a  elearing  Imlf f„it  tl ,    ""T"  '""' '"'  ^'«"'--J 

a  lot  of  great  beel.ive,,  an  dfi  ,  T'     '  ""'"'  '"'''"'  "''« 

."-r,  and  a  ere.  „f  fe  ,  ^  t"  h  T^"""  ""'  °"  '"-  to 

«'"'•  t-nt  with  lots  of  spear    I' f  ."'  "■'  "=  '"  ™^«'- 

«"eh   a  jabbering    of  wome"'     ?","""  "''"'-"""l 
heared."  "         """"'"'  and    childer    I    „ever 

»"g'"  perl,;  rte'';!'';:;"' T "''  ^'■'"■""''  -  - 

travellers."  """"  '»  ^e  /riendlj. ,«  l.armles, 

to  eomTirm  ?'   wt;r;-''  ^^■"■'°"-     "  Where  are  the, 
."  '"'•lendlj-  is  i,,  „vp.,      .    7*:  '^«  I"  g've  away?" 

"■■""■^^''e-  ^''.e.ioo.:;i;i;:;-';---nv„di. 


t2 


THE    BEAR-nUNTKRS 


and  them  sort,  tliey'd  not  p>ind  murdering  iv'ry  soul  on 
us,  to  come  at  our  bit  bacon,  or  this  here  axe,  and  I'd 
say  they  '•eckon  a  hunnerd  able  hands  ready  to  fall  on 
us. 

"  In  that  case,  INIr.  Rodney,"  said  Scruton,  who,  since 
his  great  collection  of  wreck  was  hopelessly  lost,  had 
become  more  useful  and  active;  "in  that  case  we  must 
make  for  yon  range  of  mountains,  east.  I  am  begin- 
ninjj  fo  f(u»r  that  we  are  south  of  the  Columbia  instead 
of  north.  It  is  too  late  to  retrace  our  steps  ;  and  if  so, 
we  sha'l  have  some  dreary  and  dangerous  regions  to 
cross  before  we  find  assistance  at  the  south  ;  but  we 
shall  be  in  a  better  position  near  the  mountains,  where 
we  shall  certainly  meet  witii  water,  and  escape  any  en- 
counter with  the  Fishing,  or  the  Root-Jigging  Indians  ; 
and  rough  as  t)ie  road  must  be,  the  woods  are  safe  for 
us  than  the  jdains." 

"  ]5ut  how  shall  we  get  on  with  the  women  and  the 
child,  and  my  friend  in  the  litter  ?  "  said   Rodney. 

"Is  it  us  fay  male  women  yer  honner  is  maning?** 
said  Peggy.  "  Musha  !  then,  arn't  we  the  girls  as  will 
be  trampling  down  the  sticks  with  our  heavy  brogues, 
nately ;  and  he  the  gossoon  kai)ing  his  ground  like  a 
man,  barring  we  lifting  th*^  cratur  at  the  bad  bits." 

"  And  sure,  won't  I  help  myself  at  tiie  bad  bits,"  said 
Harold,  laughing.  "So  never  distress  yourst^lf  about 
me,  Rodney.  I  am  able  to  stand  well  nOw,  and  when 
we  come  on  thi'jkets  which  the  litter  v^annot  pass,  I  can 
alight,  and  hop  over  the  impediments  capitally.  And 
who  knows  but  I  nuiy  bag  my  first  game  in  this  per- 
plexing wood,  which  really  seems  to  have  never  been 
trodden  b«'-'<)re.  Here,  I  should  say,  not  men,  but  thf 
animal  creation  I'old  sovereign  rule." 


OF   THE    ROCKY   MOUNTAINS. 


"e  must  not  relv  fnn  »«    i 

^*ered  Rodnev;  /Z   Z  ""  «I'P™''ane.«,'- an. 

„         .  •'^  '      rt'ia,  moreover  fjn^       •      ,       »    ««» 

sometimes  as  dangerous  as  ih.T'  """"'  •■"'•"•  '» 

"0  fHnc^  for  e„cou„,erin„  ,,1         "!""  •'"'""•     -^  ''"ve 

-O'eh  the  A^elffi;  "'":""'''*' """"'''-» 
names  of  iio„  and  ,iger."         ^   ""   ""=   '"•g''-»o""Jing 

"Come,  come,  I{o°dnef,"  -a,-,)  h      ,, 
here  on  a  s,,o,t,„g  exnedmon        .  ^       '''  "  ^  '^'""^  <>"' 
"eery  „,y  ga„e.  "p^afrd  t       '""'"'  '"'^«  ^o"  <- 
on  .heir  range,  will,  I  lake  „'',"""'  "  ""  ''"'  <■■"■"« 
've  are,  cerlainly,  in  the  co'.        T^''  ''"'"  ^^lU;  and 
raJo,  .he  gri..|/',,ear'  ^  "'  """  ^^S"'"^  despe. 

"«o.ToT<!'iXtfC";t'r'°"'"^ 

beasts.    Not  .hat  Jy  be  T    •"''•''  '•»"*"'■"  i"i?  wiM 
ravage  eraturs  dwelW  i„  "^'"f  ""^  "■'™''  <"    -eh 
nature,  and  seeing  ,he  iZjT'   "'   ="''  afer   .hei, 
:-''  "'ey  be  „re  a,  cit   "  ,':? '"""<^''  "'«  "ea^-e; 
But  .our  honor  wi,>ter„l::::  "'  "t  ^'""^' 
blessed  island  where  niver  a  „^  ,   ''""^  ''""'  "'«• 

dare  be  setting  i,3  ngiyfo'.V"/""'^  beast  nor  reptile 

'o  .neet  these  same  Slj.r    T"  "^'"  """  »"»''''»? 

yo-  honor,  m,sel,-^  t      Xi  '"',  ""  "^^'^'^ 
o«'n  ould  ancient  dens  "  ""^""-b'ug  them  in  their 

•'i'" -uVltri:^'';'/^-  "~'*°"''-  -•"  «eru,on, 

-"  extravagant  tfraL'-pr/i  T  "'"'^'^ 
-  we  .„.  „..  ,,,„  ^J^^  Shot  .    ,,,^. 

-"■-brht:Sr<-I^.-e.    ..S.n,e 
prices."  ^'^"^  '^'««'  a«  would  fe/rj,  cai-ita/ 


i  I 


I 


p 


I  ^  I  ii 


!  !., 


II    ! 


64 


TIIK    BKAK-miNTKUS 


Scnifon  si^lu'd  as  ho  answered,  "  But  i«ow  could  w« 
transport  tlioni  to  a  market,  IMarlin  ?  and  cvcti  if  wo  could 
the  <',unuin<;  Americans  nii^lit  eiu'at  us  in  buying  tliem 
Tlu'y're  a  bad  set  to  tratle  willi." 

"  liad  it  is,  Ca|)lain  Soruton,"  8ai<l  Dick.  "Jona- 
than's a  sharp  rojjue  ;  he  keeps  both  eyes  open,  he 
does!  Now  com*'  aionjj.  Will,  and  hannell  tluvse  here 
|>oles  a  bit,  while  I  clear  away  these  briars,  or  we'll  be 
like  to  tounder." 

liut,  loppiufx  and  hewin'^,  and  forcin;^  their  way,  they 
Htill  made  but  slow  proj^ress,  an<l  the  clear,  keen,  frosty 
ni<rlit  fell  on  them  in  the  midst  of  a  wilderness  of  briars 
and  matte<l  underwood,  where  no  lire  could  be  lifjhted 
without  the  risk  of  ijrnitinfjj  the  whole  forest.  With 
some  trouble,  in  the  dark  obscurity  of  the  pine-wood, 
they  found  their  bnirs  and  got  some  bisctiit  to  satisfy 
their  hunjier,  and  restinjj  as  well  as  they  could  upon  or 
under  the  bushes,  over  which  thev  Wnwr  the  sail-cloth 
to  protect  them  from  the  thorns,  they  passed  the  com- 
fortless nijjht,  shivcriuf]:  and  restless.  The  ho\Ms  and 
roars  of  the  wild  beasts  sounded  so  near  to  them,  that 
once  Crot'ton  was  induced  to  fire  into  the  bushes  from 
whence  the  howliu};  had  issued ;  and  the  snarling  yell 
and  the  rustling  that  succeede«l,  proved  he  had  been 
onlv  iust  in  time  to  chase  the  intruder. 

Morning  rose  to  show  them  more  fully  the  intricate 
maze  in  wuich  they  were  involved  ;  and  so  unproniis- 
ing  appeared  their  present  encampment,  that  they 
resolved  to  penetrate  a  little  further  before  they  at- 
tempted tc  breakfast,  in  the  hope  of  findir.^  a  clear  spot 
for  a  fire. 

"  Now  then,"  said  John,  as  they  were  reniming  their 
burdens,  "which  on  ye's  getten  hauhl  of  my  tlitch?* 


<"  ruK  „o,  KT  ,>.o,;Nr„N,. 


Jt    Occurs    fri    nw.  '»  In,  *'IM|. 

Ill     riM!,      S.'IKI      Ml.       t*      I 

v -ou,.), ,  „ ;:::,':":'':''''•'"'"■ - 

l'l'Mo,l,«,l,o,ns-I,lM,       '^ '""'I- I""  pn /;.,,.. 

«• i-r   „,,    ,  ,  r'       '^.  '■ ; ■•  ""=  ""«  .sliding 

'"■>■<">'>  ""■  bush,  „  ;  ,, ',  ;•'""'""-' "  I-'  /i.ii,.: 

""•     "'«     I"-    W.         o,  ,''  ^""  *'"  '""'  '••" 

^"•- '•-^--■p^ '•'":.:r';:;:;::;\:— ^     .: 

"""'v,  a,„l  a  ln„.k  „f  |,,,  .      '"  ""=  -^1""  '"'  ll"> 

'■<""'  <"■  - i^"  :.:i :  ;:;r v!  •:; ^-  ^ "  "■•' 

'""'  •!„.  nu-al,  „|,i,,|,  ,,„„  y      ',"  "  '"•"■"".  ""'  P<.lal«,.„, 

'•" "-  .'-a...  wi,:!:,.;': ::;:'' ■  ^"""-  .^"^.^.•.s..nee' 

"'  ",  It  cannot  (»■  li,.|,„.,|  ,,„„  „     . ,  ^, 

f o"-.  -^  now  snow..::;,,;""":":",  -^  7''.  -."- 

•Ii-^'an.  ,,e,-i„,I,  |„.,.n  l,u,.|,.d  it       „  '""''   "'  ™'"e 

„  ,         '  '^'*^«'  t''e  upper  surfi^cf 


66 


TOE    BEAR-HTJNTKRS 


i  •'•■■ 


of  which  was  tolerably  level,  cleared  it  with  sjtades 
which  they  had  prudently  brought  from  the  wreck,  and 
soon  raised  a  large  fire,  round  which  they  gathered  to 
warm  themselves  till  the  welcome  tea  was  made  readv, 
and  then  breakfasted  heartily,  notwithstanding  Scru- 
ton's  uneasy  glances  at  the  diminished  biscuit-bag. 

Then  they  marched  forward,  and  now  at  mid-day 
the  sun  was  bright,  and  even  hot,  and  the  melting  snow 
falling  from  the  trees  rendered  their  progress  somewhat 
uncomfortable. 

"  It  will  be  all  v/ery  well  to  have  the  snow  cleared 
from  our  path,"  said  Mr.  Rodney ;  "  but  if  the  sun  car- 
ries !t  all  off,  what  shall  we  do  for  water,  Captain  Scru- 
ton  ;  for  we  have  not  met  with  any  ?  " 

"Where  the  tree  grows,  the  water  flows,"  replied 
Scruton ;  "  so  long  as  we  remain  among  mountains,  we 
may  be  sure  we  are  not  far  from  springs.  But  between 
u;3  and  any  station  where  we  can  find  help,  I  fear  we 
shall  have  to  make  our  passage  over  miles  of  desert, 
where  water,  and  of  course  every  thing  useful,  is  scarce. 
There's  fine  land,  I've  heard,  between  the  mountain 
ranges,  and  if  we're  driven  to  it,  we  shall  have  to  cross ; 
but  we  shall  then  be  in  danger  of  falling  in  with  those 
dogs  of  Indians.  You  see  we  are  not  in  the  valley 
now,  but  seem  to  be  always  ascending ;  and  some  trav- 
elled men  say,  that  from  the  Pacific  to  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  it's  all  hills  and  valleys,  mountain  ranges, 
and  dreary  wastes,  and  God  knows  how  we  are  to  work 
through  all  without  a  chart ;  I  own  I'm  perplexed  ;  I 
don't  pretend  to  know  any  thing  of  interior  lands,  and 
should  have  liked  well  to  have  kept  an  eye  on  the 
coast,  but  for  those  troublesome  Indians.  But  all  goes 
Rgainst  me, —  wrecked,  ruined,  ani  now  cast  on  a  coa^* 


UF    Tin:    KOOKY    MOUNTAINS. 


67 


that  T  know  nothing  of,  and  none  of  jou  reailing  gentle- 
men seems  any  wiser  than  myself." 

The  reading  genth'inen  were  eom{)elled  to  confess 
that  their  geographical  knowledge  was  confined  to  known 
regions  of  the  earlh,  an<l  that  this  particularly  mysteri- 
ous wilderness  [)uzzled  them;  and  Harold  proposed  that 
they  should  work  up  the  mountains  till  they  met  with  a 
river,  and  then  take  it  as  a  guide,  —  a  suggestion  which 
was  not  rejected.  They  had  now  attained  a  ridge  tol- 
erably free  from  underwood,  beyond  which  rose  a  steep 
wall  of  rock  which  compelh^d  them  to  move  directly 
south  along  this  ridge,  a  comparatively  easy  path ;  and 
Harold  had,  during  the  day,  the  satisi'action  of  shooting 
two  brace  of  birds,  something  resembling  grouse,  but  of 
larger  size,  and  now  v/armly  clothed  in  their  winter 
plumage.  These,  they  concluded,  were  the  far-famed 
prairie  fowl,  which  were  reputed  to  be  of  delicate  flavor; 
and  the  provident  women  having  plucked  the  feathers 
to  make  a  pleasanter  and  more  secure  pillow  for  Mr. 
Rodney,  put  the  game  into  an  iron  kettle  with  some 
meal,  potatoes,  salt,  and  snow,  and  made  them  into  a 
good  stew ;  and  though  the  dinner  was  scanty  for  eleven 
person?,  they  were  most  grateful ;  and  the  voice  of  the 
old  schoolmaster  was  raised  in  thanksgiving  to  Him 
who  had  provided  the  repast. 

They  had  made  considerably  further  way  before  night, 
and  passing  through  a  narrow  gorge  in  the  mountains, 
had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  plains  stretched  beneath 
them,  which,  though  arid  in  appearance,  offered  an  easier 
road  to  travel  over.  Beneath  a  jutting  rock  they  were 
ftgain  enabled  to  raise  their  tents,  and,  stretched  out  on 
soft  moss,  they  obtained  a  more  agreeable  night's  rest, 
and,  though  ieep  hoarse  growls  from  the  mountains  an* 


m 


•\UV.    nKAH  IH'NTinS 


ll^-: 


k 


1     '. 


Mod  >vith  no«(iirn!)i  visitors. 

"Will    wo  1)0  sMkiuft  out   ji  woll  ?  "  said  I*Ofr|iV.  lu'xt 


luovnmij. 


Snro  is)\'t  it  n  \\orU\  ol"  Iroublo  IM  ho  Imv 


iii^  lo  tiiul  :)  lijuull'ul  ol' siunv  lu'cojiboi!'  ;  iomI  it  hoiu^  by 
no  uiauos  so  s>va(o  ns  nml  iVosh  wathor;  miisha  !  uliut 
>vill  \v«»  do  Mv  wo  won't  bo  tindiujj  tho  >voll,  mikI  wo 
n.'uliiip;  our  dhn>p  ol' (mv  i»l(0}>olhor?  " 

"  As  s<H>n  Hs  wt»  ooiuo  on  a  niountftin  sfn'.'iin.  Marlin," 
mu\   Captain  vSorntiM),  •*  vou  will  s«'o  lo  tho  lillinji  the 

"  Mavbo,  rojjiiv,"  said  Tat,  "  v«»n  blaok  follows  down 
thon»  will  bo  showin'  ^on  tho  way  to  tho  woll." 

"Tho  boy  koops  a  ^hhI  U>ok-onl,"  saiii  Sonilon,  rais- 
injj  his  clj»^^'  "  I  f*''*'*  towanis  tho  s«>ulh,  u  lino  of  nion 
on>ssinir  tho  plain  ;  but  th«\v  aro  a  nnlo  in  advanoo  of 
ujS  ihon^t'on^  w<>  havo  tho  ailvantaci'  ol'  st«>oriM;;  out  of 
th<Mr  t\>u»*so.      Uut  1  do  not  lik(»  lh«'  siijn." 

"  Injjins  it  is,  oaptain."  said  Diok.  "and  I'd  n»)l  bo 
over  sartain  as  how  Shavploy  wt-ro  not  aniouLr  'oni. 
^Vhatna'  for  ilid  tluMU  iloijs  \v{  him  otV,  I'd  like  lo  hoar, 
if  ho'd  not  boon  ivirno  ononj^h  lo  jjivo  thoni  an  inklini:;; 
o(  a  p'Mzo  a-hoad.  jind  ofVor  lo  piK>t  *oni  to  a  bit  phni- 
dor;  and  when  thoy  t'oinui  wo'd  mado  otV  wi'  sonio  of 
wliat  wa,s  host,  wouldn't  ho  bo  mad,  and  want  to  bo  atlor 
us.  Liko  onough  thoy'vo  followod  our  trail,  and  nt'vor 
drt\»niod  as  how  wo'd  turnod  into  yon  wood,  antl  orani- 
bUni  up  thoso  hon^  iwks  just  whoro  we  did." 

"  Tho  sugiro.<tion  is  not  unwortiiy  of  attonfion,  Captain 
Soniton."  said  Kwhiov,  "  If  vou  boliove  vour  mute  to  bo 
bHjie  tMiough  to  betray  you." 

"  To  speak  the  truth,  Mr  Ixtxinoy,"  observed  Soruton, 
"  I  know  him  to  bo  ar  unscrupulous  scoundrel ;  but,  as 


OF    TflK    llorKV    IMOUNTAINH 


69 


{ 


Idii^  n^  I  liiiil  liiiii  iifloMi,  I  liiiil  liitii  Hiilr.  I'lir.  mpii  nil 
liiiird  liim,  mill  »vf>r»'  spirM  on  liim." 

"  II  wuH  Komriliiii^  irinnrluildr,"  miswrri'd  Hoflin-y, 
•*  lliMl,  knowiiij;  Ills  climarlcr,  you  hIi(iiiI(I  Iiuv«'  ciinrn^^ril 
tlii'J  worllilrsM  iiuiii." 

*'  Mo  wi»^  not  woillilrsH,  sir/*  n-pI'Md  Scniton  ;  "  li« 
WHS  H  goixl  iimic  ;  and  him'Ii  iiro  pcnrcr.  I  iii'vrr  cantl 
iihoiit  liiM  (liaitK  icr,  till  lir  stepped  ashore,  and  tlieti  ] 
exp<'eled  the  io^im?  would  hreak  out." 

"And  sure,  Mr.  Hodney,"  said  Mike,  *' isn't  if  witn 
his  acpuiis  the  ihale  has  dropped  in  ;  woiijihrt.  he  heeii 
nnirtheriu'  and  sinashin'  hick  Marlin  hinisell',  av  he'd 
be(Mi  lindin^  him  out  an<'alh  them  same  blessed  hiisheH  ; 
and  where  woidd  we  he  getlin'  throiit!;h  that  hiltf»r 
wood,  and  Mr.  Crol'ton's  lit  I  her,  harrin'  I)i(k  wasn't 
eutliu'  a  nnl'    road,  nuioha  !" 

Mike  and  Diek  were  firm  IViends,  and  IIm;  hoy  hud 
already  ac(piired  |»raelieal  knowIed}^<'  IVoirt  the.  carpenter, 
nioni  likely  to  he  uselul  to  him  than  the  classical  lessons 
of  Dennis  O'Kcilly,  which  he  shirked  whenever  ho 
coidd,  to  the  jj;reat  discontent  ol'  the  old  H<'hoolrnaster, 
who  looked  upon  liiiu  as  a  Hheep  led  astray  from  his 
iold,  and  |)athetically  appealed  to  Mr.  liodney,  whom 
he  considered  as  hiw  coadjutor,  saying,  "  It's  littU;  use  it 
were,  Mr.  Rodney,  for  you  anu  me  to  he  laving  our 
counthry,  and  coining  among  haythens,  and  them  we 
wore  looking  for  to  do  betther  things,  falling  back,  and 


tak 


ith  tbrifli 


and 


(ihe; 


off, 


id  all 


wan( 
mane  t  lings,  no  betther  nor  taymales,  which  sex  are  not 
having  capacity  to  imbibe  the  thrue  larning  of  the 
ancients,  seeing  they  have  no  more  nor  one  tongue,  and 
that  same,  as  the  Scripture  has  it,  being  '  an  unruly 
evil,  full  of  deadly  poit  ou.*  " 


I  I  ■ 

ll     : 
1     ' 


7*) 


nil'   in  A«  nrNiinn 


V\\  V  V  X  VM    V  n 


f  1^^^ 


\v  >vrt<»  rti  If  n«n1<  »l».".,'„;l  iiii\t  ^  i'tii-  /I*  ;n  tliN.i'Htl  lo 
\\w  «>|>iM\  ji«»un«i.  >vlw»n»  i\w\  \\o\\\\\  I'c  in  (Ijinjiir 
o<  btMWfi  snrpri^otl  bv  l)u»  \»!uuin^  Imlinnfl,  tlii'v  shonlil 
\vnnnno  ihoir  wrtntlniufi-*  toMiinl'^  iho  sontli,  luuidsl  lln' 
monntrtiu'* ;  (ho  jutting  iTMp;^  rttui  «lorp  ol«'l)'^  ol  uliii'h 
xvoiiltl  MtVonI  th»M«  iho  mortns  o(  n  t»Mnnonuv  oonri'iil- 
n\ont.  Into  on«^  ot  thos<>  <loop  rloiU  ihoy  I»m»1  now  willr 
t^vu^n.  till  tho  lii»li:uv>»  th«\v  li;ul  s»m  u  in  M<lMin«M'  sintnlil 
Iv  oi\m>^lv  o\n  o1'  sijiht,  nn«l  niso  to  mIIow  tho  >von\t'n 
h^  jeoj^ivh  tx>r  !t<>nh^  sh«»ltnv«l  |>iU»  oC  snow,  wlnol»  woiiM 
onsMo  tbom  to  obtain  tho  luxmv  of  l»  m,  tlic  groali'Ml 
en>>v>Ytfnt  lot't  to  \ho\\\. 

Thov  ^vuiMiiUi^l  thwMigh  rt  n.'wnnv  witulino;  jxtss, 
botwivn  high  ]>or|MM^viioular  i»oky  walls,  i\\v  momo 
di-^taiivv.  till  thov  tvaohoii  m  jjrassy  hollow  rtnn«ist  tho 
monnt^ins,  whoix^  »  larp*  i'hh^I  o(  partially  tVo/on  walor, 
#tun\>miti<\i  by  iv<\is  r\u\  baiv  willows,  was  tH>v(M'(Ml  by 
fl*vk>  ot'  ^svor-towl.  Tho  tlnttoring  of  wings  and  tho 
TioiM  on<*!s  ^Avo  tho  s}HM'tsnun\  notioo  \o  n\ak<>  irady. 
0\M>v^n  OMll<\i  on  K<vln<'y  an*i  ,h>ln)  to  support  tho 
cbsrsro,  «n<i  thoy  drfw  n^ar  to  tho  lak<>hM.  Thoir 
apprvV»oh  raisod  a  t^ivk  of'  fowl,  who^^o  h<^avy  flight 
eiftiilv  arrested   br  the    reaUj  sport;«inen  :  scvoigl 


«  - . .  i  1.  _ 


nr     I  III',    ItllOKr     MMfiNIAINfl. 


71 


nliiiM  w«'li<  lltPil,  Mtiil  M  ^»ui(|  ifiMfiy  l»ii»l-4  (•'II  ;  mnun 
liilo  llii'  wnl«'f  wliM»'  Mi»>y  '•♦nilil  uni  l»«>  rrMr}i<<il  ;  Rorno 
"•(  llii»  jro  (H  Mil  'Im>  (iiiiikM.  'I  Im'  «li'-4f»(i«'MMfi  w)M 
•  >•  Ui'il  willi  kIio.iN  oI  liiiMii|ili  l>  Mil<>>  mimI  I'mI,  wIio 
!■■  II    ^n^t'll>    lu    i'mIIitI    iIm'    P|i<iil,   mii»I    hv»»   j^ir-oi-   Hrid 

i'Tft'     ilnl(M     W»'|i»     lM(MI(r||i      M|i     in    f|»li(^l|f     fli«>     WfiffM'fl, 

'vlut  '^iMiU'd  im  Kio  ill  iM'^iiiiiifit;  l«»  (»r»'(i(M«'  IIimm. 
I'lVi'ii  l>('iiniq  iMiiit|(>H(<f>ii(|fw|  ffi  Hfl'«i';t  fli'fii  in  |»li(' klrifj 
lilt'  Itii(l5,  M|i(tlnyir,iii(r  (m  Ml.  Kodniy  lor  lii-4  Mfi|»l<»y- 
iiH'iil,  Ity  nlHriviii^  lliiil  ovj'n  romm*  of  iIm-  Iimo^s  frf 
lloiiM'r  ilci^iHMl  In  (IcsccimI  Io  |ii«|ini»'  lli»ii   «»wfi  i<nn]. 

A  (iuiNc  wiH  imiiMwIiiilrly  hU'wimI  with  (»'iimIo«'<»,  imkI 
IWM  »lllrlm  inimli'd  <mi  ii  willow  l«»<l,  I'nf  iirlirtj/  "" 
liiiii«|»il,  Mini  (JM'y  (nin*  iiiofp  miult*  n  \n»r\y  m»'nl,  mi-*! 
llu-ii  ill  iIm'  vvmiiii  Hiiimliinn  Mlfpl,  IIimI  Hey  rrii(/Ml  '  > 
ii'l'irMlMMl    (o   (iMVi'l   liy  nifioiirf|f|i(  ;   \iy  which   »ix(i^«lifir.i 


(hey  liM|i«>il  III  iivoiij  ||h>   liidiHlifl. 

"  Sure,  lliiii,  |»lnso  yvr  lioiiiH'rm,"  snid  l*«'j<^(y,  "  wfjiihln't, 
w<«  Im'  r«'«liMjr  Im'io  lor  a  («>w  «l»iyM  irinylM',  Ht'f'iu^f  if  in 
iillnuclJH'i-  >i  huid  ol"  ph'iily,  IIiIm  niiiri'',  iind  'hiiH'  wsifh^r, 
iHid  |ioiillliiy,  and  rIoiui  whIIm  ;  imiI  iiiif*'  lodj/irH  »■>■  nuy 
liviii*.  Won't  il  hn  well  oil"  wr'll  h»>  ;  hMiriir  lh«'  hMf<»ri, 
tliiil  IiIm  Ihmiimt  wim  iindiiig  (or  n  pillow,  ill  liif-k  il  whs! 
Hiid  won'l  il  lio  II  l»lrs>Aiir  to  lis  ♦•iifir*  ly,  h»'  niv»'r  want* 
iii|/ n  pillow  III,  fill,  (»od  \ni  Ihiiriked,  seeing  we'll  have 
('oalhriH  (or  (lid  pliickiii' ?  " 

'riicri'  wi'i'o  inoro  weary  t'vvA,  than  I'^'K^y'^  (^'^^  a^h^d 
for  II  iTHt  ;  and,  t'(>iiir>irihrring  that,  tii';  n''Xt,  morning 
that  would  dawn  on  tlu'm  would  h*;  Siinday,  th/^,  fravt;!- 
Irrs  a^ri'cd  that  it  was  hut  a  duty  that  th»'y  .shonlrl  ('.*;\n^ 
hrai<>  il  on  this  p«'a('<'('iil  spot.  'l'h*r«(orf',,  wh^ri  the 
aflrij.dif(Ml  IowIh  idliiriud  to  thf;  lak<*,  th.;  Hport-^rnftP 
piuvidiid  I'uoJ  for  u  second  day,  securvng  the  provjxior. 


li  I 

* 
1 


5-S( 


<n    rt    n<>oK    wlu.'h    \\\v\    ini'liv)i>il    with    In  ;i\  ^    '-Iimu'-j,    tn 
HUiUil    M.        I'hrii  ll\rx    iM^llrrlnl  «||  \    \\\>\  .•*  i\\u\  s|Mi>tl)l    »M 
ihf  jtnMiml.  ihrtt  thfv  tnifilit  hi«\r  lh«'  lunimiMl  lii\m\  of 
IS   «-oO    iiMU'h  ;   M-^    n!n-«>lil.  no>*   •.\\Av   to    \\;\ll(.  I\:\i|    i  'lin 
t^MiKhiMi  \\\*  luiuinsH  to  \\\v  two  women. 

rUo  ni\t  tli\v  M\.  Uo\\\\v\  \viu\  lh»<  mMVli'»"j  o(  ilir 
rhnn'h.  i\\\\\  i\\\\\iA  n  spiM-iiil  tlMniK^^ix  inj)  lot-  lliiii 
n>rti\>  »h»h\rrtMU'«"»,  Mtwl  :»  ptiwrt  lot  rnilhct  ptnliM>llot». 
Tlionjih  tl^r  sntw  MS  still  «'ol<l.  !n\il  tlt»'  potspoi'i  winhn, 
\\u'  ^\\\\  shot\»'  \^^^^^\l^^  ott  il\rn  liitlo  siUMliint\.  nixl 
i\\o  \\\U\  fowl  >»'«MUoil  to  tojoi»'»'  lit  tln'it  imttttmiiv  liottt 
ilMOji-iM  »M\  tins  f\\\\  o1  tost,  itltii  spotlnl  fnttli';>^| v  on 
iIm'  now  itU  asexl  \v:u«M'.  Kvon  Scjinoii,  ^olhtti  d  \\\  ihc 
fitiUhtnt^  pt'jixtM's  ol  iho  l,itnf^> .  wMs  Ir-'i  wotMh  \\\u\ 
80i>ini  \h{\]\  ustt!\l.  i\\\\\  mow  n'si^n«M|  to  the  will  ol  (umI. 

k\\  ihf  \]\\\\\  \\'.\\  ol'  {\\v\v  ]v>\,  MiK.'  Mitil  Till, 
*lw;\>s  rto(i>«\  pt\H'oo»i<Ml  I^Ntn  tho  stttij)  tiiioMt  to  tlti« 
p«(h  Mlonii  tlio  «tontU!un-tit1f)«\  wliirb  lltev  lutil  pii>- 
vions'tv  ]vi)  ;  :\uy\  ivi\ii-no»l.  wtili  irnoi  ilopirinl  on 
tboir  fHtVs  <o  n^|>tnt  \\\'M  tho  phnti  holow  wns  oovoiod 
x\i(h  lnni:\n«. 

**  W  ill  yor  lionnors  W  lot\«lin'  nu»  llio  loMn  of  t\  ynn. 
(bin  :  "  >vai«^  M\ko  ;  "  istit  it  mysoit  «s  wotiM  li»»  britmitt' 
\hon\  down  liko  h.mvs  ol!\«u\  vSntv  Will  kttows  it  lioa 
n«trly  1  wMs  killiiig  \hc\\\  on  (IumIomk  sno  :  the  kapcr 
himsoh'  lon»iin'  mo  \W  gun,  nnvi  lum  trllit\'  mo  to  sl',o.»i 
»11  ihr  I'shbits.  brtmn  \ho  hrtivs  ;  h\u\  «li«li\'(  lliov  tli" 
hjistos,  l->o  slwH\s  rnnnin'  in  tlio  whv  of  tli<»  shot,  junl 
me  tlunkin'  (hoy  woiv  rabbi i x-^ ;  «i\ii  nivor  mimiin'  llioy 
woro  bare*  at  all." 

l^tit  pnnionco  !«ujrg'ost<Hi  absolnfo  ipiiotnoss  and  oon- 
o<ealmcni.  Hn»i  Mik<'  was  not  alIowt>d  to  show  \\'\»  i\o\* 
icruv  ;  O&ptAin  Scrutou,  fixmi  a  sccuif  p«>*iliou,  uvai^ 


or     MIf.    IJnrKT     MflffNIAfV*!. 


rfl 


lotiln'il  Jlir«  itlniuM  |ilnip»»ir.  mikI  'Hw  flint  ihf  r'porf  wn« 
l»iii  (no  (ni»'.  'I  I  p  lowrr  (jf MiMi'l  "WMf fn»»|  wifli  Ift'linna, 
^IMrml  iiltMiil.  titid  M|)|iMM<tillv  ♦•nK(iy«»l  in  nM'  rri|i(in(^  Kt 
iMtild'  Mtif  )i  hiiil.  hi'l<,  wln'fi  «iifrifr:nfi<'»|,  »l«'*lMr'''l  Minf 
llii»y  fi'ildiiily  wii<'  «•(  »||j'  ff  ifip  (li)if  Imi«|  u,nvt\i'ri't\  l)it^ 
"iillnm.  Mild  Si'iiiloii,  wlih  mkkIi  'li-^ii^if,  rffo^/iuttt]  fli« 
(H'IH'Im  iMiii  iiimI*'  liiMH«'l(„  pfiiiil'il  Mfi'l  nrrnyii]  hi'liMfi 
(ii-iliioii.  mid  I'li-ily  «'m|doyi'd  with  m  JmII  ffi»m,  fi'-'firnt^fl 
iH  M  rliMl,  ill  i-xMinininn  m  iiMiliciiliii  pfxif  (»!' ^r'niiid. 
•'  Mii^nil !  "  iiMiflrud  (Im-  (iii^ry  n\]iU\'\ii,  "  lu'  will  ltnv#» 


<l 


L'liidid    Hhmi   Im   Iih'    \vr«'»  k,  niid    (iM-y  will    Iimv»»  invrH'i 
nil  nil  inv  shIvii^*';"  find,  with  n  ^lonn,  Im'  r'snrrifd  liix 
old  miidid  i-«<|iiiiiii|{<. 

"  Miirli  ^MMd  iniiy  flu-m  ritlN'ii  flirde  i^  d<»  t)n'iu,  t-np- 
liiiii,"  siiid  I  Mck  ;  "  iIm'V  \v«r«'  iu'vi'v  wf»ffli  wojkinj;  up 
w^iiiii.  Mild  I'll  iHif  liMV*'  iiiidcihikcii  (m  Imild  m  <iAt]o  out 
n(  nil  iIm'  lot.  iN<i\v,  wIimI  lliiiik  yc,  Mr.  I.'odn'y,  Mh<iiif 
yiiii  iii(»n»'i'«i  ?  il'rt  rrin'l  liMid  lo  )ii-  U\\<iu,  likf,  in  n  trMp, 
Mild  il'H  liiid  ^«'tiiir  mil  ol'  Mii<  li'T'-  liolf,  |<'M-«fwis#'  far 
/tr,"  |iMiiiliii(/  lo  ( 'r«irinii.  "  TliMri  fli'Tf"  lMd><  foiild '•lirnb 
Mild  Im|ii'  ii|i  flifm*  rock'*  likf  g"«t"',  I'lif  flifri  iIi'T^-'m  the 
wniiH'ii  Mild  iisrh'H^  liMiid*»." 

il  WM"*  d»'C'id«'d  (IimI,  ii^frMd  fif  r^'hirninj!!;  fo  fh**  i'-v^j 
rid>;;«',  lli»'y  sluMild  roiitiniMi  »o  hscmmI  fli«  dfirk  w(ifi<\(f\ 
iniMitilMiiH  till  they  could  lind  snficr  grf;ijrid  at  the,  fast 
til  till'  iMii^r, 

•*  Wn  are  lost,  if  wi^  rontimif'  to  tmv^d  on  the  fx- 
pom'd  b'kIo  of  llio  rnoiinlMini<,"  sjiid  Smiton  ;  "  for  the 
liidiMiis,  Ppiirrnl  (mi  hy  that,  villain  SliMrph'y,  are  evi- 
drnlly  lookiiifi;  out  lor  rnorr-  plunder  frf>rn  in;  hfjider*, 
it  '\H   idain   thiy   Mre.  a  Hralp 


hunt 


m'' 


tribe 


arif 


I  elever* 


whito  Bcalpii  wcMild  he,  a  ^reat,   j)rize.     Sharpley  known 
I    bftvo    H    Rrnall    atrirajiil    of   Apf;/'ie,    and    nornft    oth*ii 


74 


THE    BFAR-nUNTKR§ 


\^i 


available  valuables  about  me,  wbich  he  wouM  liko  to 
prasp ;  but  I'll  bury  them  in  the  ground  before  he  shall 
rob  me." 

"  Would  it  not  be  more  prudent,"  said  Mr.  Rodney, 
"  to  drop  the  uselens  dross  in  his  path,  and  thus,  by  de- 
laying; ptjrsuit,  facilitate  our  escape?" 

"You're  perhaps  flush  of  money  yourself,  sir?"  said 
Scruton  anj^rily,  "  as  you  talk  so  coolly  of  flin<»ing  it 
away.  But  it's  bad  getting  on  in  the  world  without  a 
pcntiy  in  your  pocket." 

"  It's  only  a  short  journey,  it  seems,  through  this  same 
world,  Captain  Scruton,"  said  Dennis,  "  when  we  are 
raching  the  terminus,  and  are  taking  a  look  back  ;  and 
sure,  isn't  it  all  the  same,  thin,  the  full  pocket  or  the 
empty  pocket." 

"  Leave  philosophy  alone,  my  good  friends,"  said  Crof- 
ton,  "  and  let  us  have  action.     Come,  my  boys,  take  a 
look  round  tliis  prison,  and  try  to  find  a  loop-hole  of  es 
cape." 

"  Will  I  be  showing  yer  honner  a  nate  bird-nesting 
place ;  barring  there's  no  birds  there  just  now  ?  "  said 
Pat.  Crofton  willingly  followed  the  shrewd  lad  round 
the  edge  of  the  lake,  and  to  an  opposite  niche  in  the 
rocks,  where  a  tall  pine-tree  grew  close  to  the  abrupt 
walls.  Clinging  to  the  rough  branches  of  this  tree,  the 
boy  swung  up  like  a  monkey,  then  showing  his  comical 
face  through  the  dark  foliage,  he  called  out,  "  Will  ye 
be  thryin'  it?  Sure  it's  asy  altogether  ye'll  be  thinkin 
it,  yer  honner." 

Laii^'iilug  at  the  earnestness  of  the  boy,  Crofton,  with 
«ome  difficulty,  ascended  after  him  to  the  higher  branches 
of  tlie  tree,  behind  which  he  saw  a  narrow  crevice  be- 
tween the  rocks,  barely  wide  enough  for  one  penon  *o 


OP   THE    ItOCKT    MOUNTAINS. 


76 


pass,  which  opened  a  wny  to  a  higher  ri(lg«5  uf  mmin* 
tains,  precipitous,  and  thickly  covered  with  pine  woods; 
but  not  more  impassable  than  the  woods  they  liad  pre- 
viously crossed.  At  all  events  this  seemed  to  otier  a 
possible  escape  from  the  trap  they  had  fallen  into,  and 
wiien  they  descended,  Crotton  liastened  to  i-eport  his 
observations  to  his  friends,  who  thankfully  accepted 
even  this  difficult  and  perilous  mode  of  extricating  thi-m- 
selves  from  their  present  position. 

"  It's  a  bad  job,  though,"  said  Dick,  "  that  we'se  h'ave 
a  boimie  broad  trail  ahint  us ;  ye  see,  we've  trampled 
round  and  round  this  bit  hole,  for  all  the  world  like 
wild  beasts  in  their  cages.  They'll  be  like  to  hav«".  j^ 
bit  guess  how  we've  getten  out." 

"  Had  we  not  better  delay  the  attempt  a  little  ?  "  sn\^ 
Mr.  Rodney  ;  "  after  all,  these  alarming  Indians  mj»y 
pass  on  without  discovering  our  retreat." 

"  Not  they,  sir,"  answered  Dick  ;  "  sure  as  a  gur 
they'll  make  out  this,  and  we  ought  to  be  a  good  bit  oil 
afore  that.  But,  God  be  thanked,  yonder's  a  cloud  lik< 
enough  to  bring  snow.  W  it  come  down  after  weVe  off 
and  afore  they  come  up,  I  defy  'em  to  make  out  oui 
trail.  But  we  must  carry  off  all  our  belongings ;  so 
captain,  if  you'll  sing  out  the  word,  we'll  all  lend  a  hand, 
with  a  will." 

After  a  short  consultation,  it  was  agreed  to  try  this 
plan  of  flight,  under  all  its  disadvantages,  and  the  cap- 
tain sung  out  the  wo,  d.  The  travellers  took  a  last 
glance  from  their  old  path,  and  saw  that  the  Indians 
were  gradually  drawing  near,  still  examining  the  ground. 
They  could  even  hear  and  distinguish  voices,  and  no 
time  must  be  lost  in  setting  out ;  the  great  diificulty  lay 
in  hoisting  up  the  tall  tree  those  who  were  not,  as  Mr 


;,  T(--T"V.'^"^'"^S^T-" 


^Tty  ■■;-  n-yy^y 


'T*»-*^V 


m 


f« 


un    uj'  \u  m  N VKU« 


Ho<li*.'V     crti,|,  ol     tho    OViliM     ol"    .Vi'iltfilr'ffjr  Ml'     Will    HOl 

l»i»M>*«>h    nililn'd'il    to    u^nu^n  Jit'    fl-nt",    jumI    Iii>    I'toKtMl 
!lt»^|>nirM\«il«    Ml  tl»i>  \\(Mnrn  t«n«l  (l\i«  »»M  mmv 

"Til  »»vu>!\oi»  to  hr-uc  «Im' otilil  woiMUM  Mto|»  t»n  tnv 
UrtrK."   f»rti«l    Oh'K,   "  l»»M    l\lfU\,    Itoil    MrMM   Ih'i,   mIhi'^    i| 

Vn\  \x ;»«  nlnM\il\  jOoO,  r.MHontplmiMo  \\\\\\  j^lic  tin* 
porploMHi^x  ol'  ln<  iVit'n*!-!  1>oIom.  tnol  ci  \  in;.»  out,  "  \N  ill 
I  «4M>«I  i|.>«  n  M  ^^^p^^  nicK.  uml  luuil  l\ri    up?" 

"  riu>  bo>  i-*  m\Mi'X ,"  laiiitl  ScniiitM.  "  l>ui  he  j  i  mm( 
>x\(hon»  slri>\<«ln.'«j'» ;  1  think,  INImhn,  m»m  tui^lil  ^l^  out 
A  >>  Inp  li>>i  ,  itlol'i." 

"  V  wlup  i(  i-.  «>;«pt;M\i,"  n'plioil  Pirk.  •' uml  IimiiI  ( 
txill.  l>nl  I'll  \u<'\\  ;\  ]\:\\h\  to  lu>lp.  ittvl  ^o\no  o(»  \  on  nnnt 
nn\  nji  rtionij  \>>;h  tl>t>n»  poor  \\ottn'n,  to  jinidi'  'rn»,  litr 
ihi'x'iH'  tM^5on>ti'i.  >  on  s<  o  *' 

t<;u>>l«?  M.>«^MnpMtMr»l  Puk  (o  tho  l\i^»h  Innni'ln'^  o( 
(ho  tivv.  o;MV\  it\ir  H  stoti!  l>>p»\  wlii'.'h  tln>>  hntnj;  o\  »m  it 
Mjlhor  rtnd  stuMijiiM"  bonjih.  rinil  lowri-iil  w  \\\\  n  uiilo 
)«>«>p  ot  ti.>t>>-o  ftl  tl\o  on«l,  in  ulurh  M:n\  « !i  <  Mi^trnfd  ij 
to  >trtn»i.  arH'pit\sj;  il\.'  i\>po  (iiinlv.  Miko  iin<l  W  illunn 
(lstV!ui»Mjj  with  h'M  lv»  l\oM  ;u\»l  iM\o«nttt«;iO  hof.  Tin' 
uttonijM   sn«NM^<H<in>>.  l\'^>i\   »n»l    IV'ttni-^   >\«M('   ini^td   ni 

tlu'  ^;u«o  \M»y.  Vhon  tho  Uuiipip'  ^^•*''  «''!»^^'<  "P-  '""' 
fin.^liy.  Viv.  Kv>«it\«y.  sonu^w  luU  nppMllod  mI  tlto  in.i  M 
hko  Hpjv.nrsiuv  of  tho  trtll  !>*»>'  Irtttik  ol'  tlx'  pin<\  m  miUmj 
h;ms«'lt  .»1'th<''  s«tno  »N>ti(riN  ;»no<\  st^rlnttfi;  (o  i«'fl«MM  oti  dII 
tho  |-HTils  of  !»*\"»lpinp:.  ht>\'*kinjt  Ins  u'  ok,  oj-  boino  tlc- 
vouiNsi.  tli.1t  this  iiupj»uhM\t  «»\p<Mliii«>n  h.-nl  hronght 
njy^n  him. 

When  nil  h«tl  rtstvn«i<Nl,  (hov  t'onutMi  a  k>njr  lino  in  liio 
nsrrow  mt>nnt,'4in-\Mv\  ivN\  rtn«i  l>iv'k.  who  \V}i«<  th«»  l)»st, 
m\fn\c  A  tiHAi  «^»v<oont,  to  Un-vk  ontHMuUv  tinin.!.  li'st   niiv 


UV     tlir     MncKI     MOIfMIAIMX. 


7/ 


h* 


l<i 


lliinff  •liniiM  Itf  l«(1  lii'liir  <l  ;  »iimI  Ik-  ImcI  no  u-4,i,nri  r#»- 
ll'M't>l|i|)  i|  IImiii  till'  nunw  lii>|fiiri  In  lull  un  tU'v\'\y  llifif  i( 
wiH  |ttiiiii  llml  i»v»»fjr  li«»i'  of  (liiir  ni  <  iiiDiiJ'.ri  wml'l  nwni 
!••>  Ii|i|i|ii).  iumI  ||i»>  h»iow  MiM'^f  nifi'tofli  »li«'  ^r«'nf«'af  of 
•  lii'li  ilillliiiliifuj  (<',,r  five  iiiitiiiN^  I)i»k  lool^^/l  IfOffi 
wltMVf  Miiic  ioii'lv,  >iimI  I»v  ''h"!  liirM-  r|i#'  liollow  W)i<» 
«liiinii|t<l    ill    miMW  5   iIm'Ii    Im    liM'fily  {mi>vu«>>)    IIi'-  woi/|    I/* 

IIIMV"'   Mil,   liir     lit'    Ili'lH'l    III''    W»'ll    kllOWfl    V«li'»     'i|     di''    V(l*l 

Slif«i|i|i'v  III  low.  All  w«'ii'  "iliiil,  (Mi'l  pMni'l  u,  \i-i(tu 
in  ||n>  xillfijii,  wli't  WMM  P|irfil<  injr  lo  nun'  on*-  in  l/fii^lil*, 
MMt|  Oivv  Imhi'I  liim  ^(iv,  " 'I  liiJ  1 1  n  III,'  MioMj^li  |»l(»f<4 
fiif  •lit'iM  ;  Init  llii  •  riM  '  »|  now  IhIIikj'  )im»  no"V,  luillf 
»|i  w  Im  ri  w<'  ini^'iil  Imvo  romi'  on  llicii  Iniil  l'»Mf  •//«  U 
li!i\''  (Im'  joiM  III'  (liiil  k.fi!i(»y  tool  S'ltitofl  y«'»,  if  If'  l»M 
li>  till;,  MMiJ  V'i'M  rollow»'r-<  »nny  li»iv«'  lii«  Im  »(/lif  loitforH 
Mini   lli'i  nriilji  |«ii    llii'ir  ^^liM(«  ." 

"  hul.  Slim  pl»' V,"  i<|»Imm|  Miiotlirr  voc*'  in  lini'li-h, 
"  V'lii  imiiwIm'I  III  'iin  K'  iilji  fli'-  ^^ofni'ii  ;  I'll  nol  j/o  im 
liti   lli!»(  Ml  Miiv   in1«',  (iijiii." 


''  Whnl  lor  i' "  »i*i>iWM«<l    Sliiir|il»'y. 


on  f '    M    ni'«' 


onn    Im    Im>    liifiiinjr    f«» 


n. 


oil    imi    try,  il    yin    wiW ,    to 


HHVi'   'I'ln,   Iml   niM-»'   jriv*'  '•■III   «   fM^i<'  of  fli*'    j'»li  ,   fK*"*^ 
l»lnrl<    IfjIowM    nil"    Mol    i'li-- y    lo    Mlop  :    I'v    K»'«Mi    Vrri    >«' 


tl 


MMI     iimii    wo 


1;  h1 


oi «' 


A n«l    wliMi    rMMll'T   »•*'•   «iK'»»if 


lol  of  Iridi  vhi^mIioimI-",  iiflf-r  nil  ?" 

"  ll'<   Klriin|o-,  Sluir|>lry,   tluil.  yon   nxu  I    f«  'oiW-rl   lli'-. 


IIMIIH'H     o 


I     II 


»rs«' 


jXOpIl 


Wll« 


I      t 


I' 


corriwafMorj 


ipa 


r 


v** 


WHIM'  Irisli  rfldlioMH  iny-«'lf;  nri*!  ov»*r  Hri/|  »h  /»•.  nol 
^M'inii;  IoimI  of  blood -jfllinj^,  I'd  luirdly  lik^r  to  »#■>•.  tlwi 
|i:»*ftl|iin;^';-knirr  UHr.I  on  my  ovm  fl<",|i  and  M^K/d,  rnan." 

*'  Voii'll  liiivr,  liiiM'  riM»ii;.^li  lo  look  '»'ni  ov<t  «rid  i^iTt 
♦*m  Mill,"  HM-«w'«  r«'d  S!i»ii[»l«'V.  "  I  only  wi-h  it  w*fi*» 
^^orii"   Ut   Uml.      'I  Im'««'^    rioii'dit    l/»  -<•*!   hf  r»-,  and    v»rt  / 


7  « 


fW' 


iifK,  nF.Au-ni'NrTriin 


Rwrur  it'(»   iii'^t   llu'  Iiolr    thrvM   hv  liKrlv   to  sunik    ir\ 
Is  ll\(>ip  no  otliiT  wnv  out  on'l  iliink  v«' P  " 


r 


H'V    scinlini/tMl     rvrrv     rc'iM'ss 


lliut 


nil" 


l>l     I 


IMVO 


nflofilf'd  ctMU'CMlii.rMt  it)  viiin.  Tlu*  Imlisiiis.  m  lio  \vrr« 
not  l«'s><  lli.in  tilh  or  sixlv  in  luunlwr,  did  iu»t  allrnint  l« 

•  •  • 

«.«"(«'  \\u\o  \u  s»';u»'l\inji  tor  r«»o(strps  now,  lint  nioxrtl 
riMnul  ihc  Ijikc,  mix!  kcrnlv  rxiuninnl  rvnv  Imi-I».  Io 
(lis»'ov«M- wIu'IIht  j«  luinult  lisul  l>ri»n  dislnrlM'tl.  I''iniillv, 
H  |>;nty  p!Ui^«'«l  IxMUMlh  tin*  itinc-lrcc,  nnd  looked  np: 
tl  o  hearts  ot"  tin*  wal*  lins  brat  stron<;ly,  lor  tlirir  livo,-* 
Ininj;  on  a  ihit'ail.  riioni:l»  ilu-  nalivrs  arr  nol  n\ni  li 
nr«Mi>«tonn'd  lo  tliinlMnj^.  Hirk  knrw  llial  it  iIm'V  said 
A  word  to  Sharplt"\  hi'  would  ^;oon  h(»  on  ihrir  Iniil. 
KorHn\al<dv  \\\o  wind  had  <lril)«'d  ilu'  snow  up  towaidrt 
iho  \\ot\  and  tin-  Ixdi-  was  shrondtd,  or  iho  hark  nu};ht 
\\\\\o  hotrayrti  marks  ot' their  asoent. 

Al^or  sont«^  t'onv<M*><ation  in  ihrir  «nvn  lan^in»i:e.  tho 
hide»Mi<.  paintf'd,  half-naked  sava;;e>»  tnoved  on  towaiih 
thoir  I'ltuli-h  h'Mdi-r.  who  led  litem  olV  toward-  the 
nann>w  (Mttratte(»  lo  the  hollow  ;  hnt  hel'orc  they  lef'i, 
Oiik.  and  fwillon,  who  was  no\l  to  him.  heard  Sharp- 
li'>  >a\,  "  I'hev'x'  sonu'liow  tnainij^ed  it»  <n'\  on  sonih 
«moni;  lh<»  ridjxi's.  It's  ji  snr<»  ihiitf*  tlu»\'ll  keep  on  th(< 
\M's«  si*l«\  tor  Soruton,  heM  laid  it  down  h<>'d  niak^i 
for  !»0!n»«  port  to  ;;«'t  help,  Ilis  lu'art's  snie  to  he  with 
yott  rnhhi>h-hoap  ho  U'\\  ix^hovo,  sind  lieM  niver  a;ri'''«^ 
to  a  land  trip.  \V«'  tnnst  kiM»p  on  yon  ridj;i'  wIumt  vm 
l«»sf  fhrir  trail  ;  tor  i*oino  on  'om  I  •vill." 

His  iMtr.panion  seiMned  to  he  ivtnonslratinij  with  tln^ 
vindiotivo  wt'ot*'h:  hut  tho  words  wmto  lo^^t  in  th« 
di'itaniv.  rts  the  ln>;>p  w«Mjnil  t'liMU  tho  hollow  and  dis- 
appearvi,  greatly  to  tiie  n-liet'  ot'  tlu'  erampeil,  and 
^xious    ri»lnff»H»;s.     Aa   M^^n   jis    tho    iht*»llii;t'iM'w    wiu» 


OK  rnr,  u<m  ky   M(MNrAi\«. 


79 


!ht 


iio 


ill) 


•ro 


ym 


Ihe 


IH- 


lit 


vN)Hitinnii«'Ml»M|  iil(»ii;^  llir  linr,  IIiirnM  miid,  '•  Now 
\\\\i\{  ill  \\\r  world  t\vr  w«'  lo  <l<»,  ('iiptiiin  S'riil(»r»  ? 
I''(»i  tnv  jinri,  I  •<Im>iiI»|  Iimvc  likftl  iiolliiiii^  lirHrr  tliaii 
to  liiiVf-  sliiiwii  li^lil  ;  \V(*  were  in  n  ciiitihil  iiosilion  to 
^iiiird  out'  piH^  ;  Init  tlir  liicl  in,  lliiil  llioii^fli  I  Ii.hI  no 
inrrcy  lor  llio»r  I  wo  I'ji;^li.sli  iTiM'«rad«'-<,  I  Mlioidd  limdly 
liMvc  lil;)'d  lo  sliool  down  iImhi'  wiTlclinl  i«rrionint 
nuvnjrfs  in  <'old  Mood." 

"  I'd  like  1(»  liuvp  Ht'f'U  llirm  lr|,  yon  liinc  ii  rliiiii('»», 
Mir,"  Miiid  Dirk.  "  lllrns  yon,  nnnN-r,  llicy'd  Iuivh 
riiinrd  nrrow-^  iii  lunon;^  nn  ih  lliirk  ih  |Ih-*»'  luir 
Kiiow  (InkrH  ;  iind  iT  llnni  nrrow^  liils,  lliry  (ells,  and  no 
inHliikt'  ;  soipr  on  'cm  |w»i-.on<'d,  like  rnon^di,  iuxl  i-vcry 
onr  <'nllin;;  likf  ii  niAor-ldndf*.  Nay,  innn,  willi  sn<li- 
liki*   Im'jisIm,  lor  llicy'rc  no  l»rtlcr,  it's  hiilrr  lo  run  nor  \/o 

'•  It  KiTins,"  Hiiid  S(  iiiton  with  a  sl;^di,  "  llial  we  nro 
alisoinlrlv  driven  lo  iIk*  inlf-rior  :  a  hard  ca-c  it  i~  to 
}><>  coniprllrd  lo  )d)andon  one's  own.  Itnt.  it's  lillle 
mailer,  lor  I  make  no  doidil  that  mnlinouH  do;/, 
Sliarpley,  has  di^iimsed  of  every  lldn;^  Itelore  tjii-j.  W'e 
must  ^et  olV  ti'oin  liim  and  liiM  hcalp-linntin^r  erew, 
tlion^li  it-;  likely  enoni^li  we  may  lall  anion;/  trila"*  as 
had  iM'I'ore  we  rea<*li  any  traders;  and  e\en  llien  ihey'll, 
mayi)e,  look  sour  at  us,  lor  what  have  we  |e(i  to  trade 
^vilh?" 

*'  Ynii  have  money,  my  </ooil  friend,"  said  Urxlney, 
**  whieh  you  will  Iind  lo  he,  anion;/  ei\  ili/.ed  p(!0|de,  the 
most  marketahle  artieh;  you  can  deal  in." 

**  What  I  hav<!  is  my  own,"  replie<l  Seruton  tev;tily  ; 
'*  and  lillle  enou;;h  there  is  leli  of  it.  It's  lu'v  for  vv(^ry 
man  to  look  out  tor  hinjsi  It." 

•*  A   lamencttble  proHp^^er   thHt  would   In-  tor  *<}Uiv  ul 


r    :,  •  ;■.; 


80 


THE    BEAR-HUNTERS 


\  I 


our  party,  Captain  Scruton,"  said  Roilniy,,  pointing 
towards  the  destitute  Irish  emigrants. 

"  Say  no  more,  Rodney,"  exclaimed  Harold  im- 
patieiitly;  "you  and  I,  fortunately,  have  money  also, 
God  be  thanked  for  it.  Now,  my  conviction  is,  that 
in  this  common  calamity,  we  are  bound  to  share  alike 
in  good  and  evil.  Let  us  only  nsach  the  abode  of 
Christian  men,  and  I  will  answer  for  it  we  shall  have 
Christian  hospitality.  So,  button  up  your  pockets, 
Captain  Scruton,  we  iiave  no  intention  to  empty 
them,  —  and  please  to  say  when  and  where  we  are 
to  march." 

Scruton  looked  vexed  and  ashamed  ;  but  trial  had 
failed  to  subdue  the  ruling  passion.  Then  he  suggested 
that  they  should,  as  far  as  they  were  able,  continue 
to  ascend  the  mountain-ridge  before  them,  preceded 
by  Dick  and  Mike  with  axes,  as  pioneers,  the  thick 
underwood  b«'ing  still  an  impediment  ;  nor  could 
they  prevent  the  troublesome  urchin  Pat  from  being 
one  of  the  foremost,  his  object  being  to  collect  the 
pine-cones  which  lay  around,  many  of  which  were  mon 
than  a  foot  in  length. 

"  Like  enough  them  savages  eats  *em,"  observed 
Dick  ;  '•  God  be  thanked,  anyhow,  we're  not  brciught 
down  to  that.  liut  an'  ye  will  gather  'em  up  lad  fill 
a  bag  ;  they'll  come  in  handy  for  boiling  our  kettle,  now 
when  all's  covered  with  snow." 


m 


OF    THE    ROCKT    MOCNTAINS. 


•I 


CHAPTER    VIII. 


Signals  cf  Dbtresa.  —  Pat  and  the  Bear.  —  A  Peey.  into  a  Pen  — 
Dick's  Description  of  the  Wiiite  Chief.  —  The  Delile  in  tlie  Mouil' 
tain.  —  1  )oscent  to  the  Plains.  —  Dennis  Plans  a  College.  —  A 
Sahno]!  Feast. 

Still  the  travellers  strujif^led  upward:*,  buri(!d  in  the 
dark  and  sih-nt  depths  of  the  apparently  interminable 
forest.  Still  the  snow  came  down,  and  lay  heavily  on 
the  sombre  wintry  foliage.  Tip  v  hvard  the  wind  howl 
above  the  trees,  though  unfelt  in  Mieir  close  and  almost 
covered  path ;  while  beneath  their  feet  little  snow  had 
reached  that  rugged,  stony  grou!id  from  which  it  seemed 
a  miracle  that  the  living  forest  should  si)riiig.  In  this 
dismal  aspect  and  silence  of  nature  the  luart  grew 
chill,  and,  for  some  time,  even  the  most  loquacious  wt  re 
silent,  till  startled  by  a  lord  cry  l.u'fore  them. 

Rodney  and  Crofton  immediately  shouldered  their 
rifl<< : ,  and  advanced  towards  the  cry,  followed  by  Wil- 
liam carrying  two  loaded  guns,  for  he  knew  the  pioneers 
were  unarmed ;  indeed,  tbey  were  never  more  than 
twenty  yards  before  the  rest;  but  it  was  fi-om  a  greatei 
distance,  in  the  depths  of  the  still  unexplored  forest, 
that  the  cries,  still  continued,  were  heard  ;  and  Miey 
found  Dick  and  Mike  hastily  forcing  their  way  tc  aid 
the  victim  in  distress. 

"  It's  that  good-to-B  ought  lad,  your  honor,"  said  Dick. 
*'  I  misdoubt  me  he's  fallen  into  some  trouble ;  maybe 
broken  his  neck." 


8S 


THE    BEAR-HCNTER9 


"(■ 


■'  1 


■\    >:-l 


n' 


hi 

■•1 


"  Ho  would   Laivlly  be  able  to  cry  out  so  lustily  if 
that  were  the  case,"  observed  Mr.  Rodney. 

'•  Tiiat's  a  good  lad,"  continued  Dick,  as  he  took  onfl 
of  the  guns  from  William.  "  I  wish  he  were  more  like 
ye ;  but  it's  not  in  him.  Halloa!  stop  that  chap!  they*r«» 
all  alike  ;  it's  that  hot  Irish  blood." 

William  succeeded  in  stopping  Mike,  who  had  thrown 
\lown  his  axe,  and  was  dashing  through  the  maze  of 
underwood,  quite  unarmed,  towards  the  spot  from 
whence  the  cries  proceeded.  Then,  keeping  close 
togetluu*,  prepared  for  defence,  they  soon  reached  the 
place,  where  they  beheld  l*at,  perched  like  a  monkey, 
on  the  slender  branch  of  a  tall  pine,  while,  below,  a 
huge  brown  bear  was  just  gra|>pling  the  trunk  to  ascend. 
But,  ai.  the  sound  of  the  rustling  branches,  the  animal 
desisted,  turned  round,  and  grinned  ferociously,  growl- 
ing in  the  low,  deej)  tone  of  rage,  yet  not  making  any 
attempt  to  attack  thera.  Crofton  at  once  pointed  his 
riile  at  tlie  beast. 

"  Hand  off,  man,"  cried  Dick,  in  great  excitement, 
'*  we'se  ha/e  to  fall  on  him  on  all  sides  ;  he's  bad  to  kill, 
he  is  ;  and  he'll  skulk  off  if  we  let  him.  Stand  ye 
there,"  to  Mr.  Rodney,  "  and  Mr.  Ci'ofton  and  me,  we'se 
get  ahint  }on  trees,  and  hinder  him  from  running  off 
thereaways  ,  and  mind  ye  fire  right  into  t'  beast,  and 
not  again  us." 

Then  Dick  marshalled  his  forces  very  discreetly, 
choosing  positions  behind  the  trees  for  himself  and  for 
Mr.  Crofton,  at  a  due  distance  from  each  other.  The 
rest  of  the  party  had  now  come  up,  and  at  the  sight  of 
60  many,  the  bear  seemed  to  become  uneasy ;  he  made 
a  few  steps  forward  towards  Mr.  Rodney,  who  held  bis 
piece  ready  to  fire  ;  but  the  shrill  shrieks  of  the  women 


OF    THK    UOCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


88 


ill, 

ye 


lis 


wlu'n  tliey  fir>t  saw  the  animal  sfemed  to  alarm  him, 
and  he  backed  to  his  position  beneath  the  tree  ;  and 
wheeled  awk'vardly  round  to  attempt  ap;ain  to  ascend. 
Mr.  Rodney  then  thought  it  time  to  int('rruj)t  him,  and 
fired  into  his  shoulder.  The  wounded  beast  made  a 
sudden  dash  towards  his  assailant,  and  all  the  party 
took  to  flight  towards  the  sid?^  among  the  trees,  leaving 
Mr.  Rodney  to  make  a  secoiui  attempt;  but  just  as  he 
drew  the  trigger,  he  stumbled  over  a  piece  of  rock,  and 
fell,  and  the  ball,  being  diverted  from  its  intended  course, 
struck  the  dry  branch  on  which  Pat  was  perched,  over- 
looking the  fray  with  great  enjoyment,  broke  it,  and  the 
poor  boy  fell,  alighting  on  the  back  of  the  bear,  which 
was  overthrown  by  the  sudden  sliock.  William  saw  the 
danger  of  the  child,  and  sprung  forward  plunging  his 
knife  into  the  side  of  the  prostrate  beast,  and  then  li:i<" 
tily  retreated,  dragging  away  the  almost  senseless  b»>y. 
The  bear,  bleeding  and  furious,  rose  to  avenge  himself 
on  his  assailants,  and  Crofton  fired  a  second  shot  which 
seemed  to  have  reached  no  vital  point;  for  the  animal 
turned  from  one  side  to  another,  charging  madly 
against  the  interposing  trees,  till  Dick,  emerging  boldly 
fiom  his  hiding-place,  confronted  the  bear,  and  before 
he  could  be  attacked,  fired  at  the  head,  and  brought 
his  desperate  antagonist  to  the  earth,  roaring  with 
agony. 

Several  more  shots  were  necessary  to  finish  him,  and 
then  all  gathered  round  to  contemplate  with  satisfaction 
their  conquered  foe. 

"  Arrah,  then,  Dick,  my  boy,"  said  Mike  dancing 
with  delight,  "isn't  it  a  raal  beautiful  shot  that  ye  are? 
My  lady's  kaper  wasn't  hitting  a  baste  no  betth(.'r  at  all, 
and  niver  such  a  big  baste,  seeing  there  won't  be  no 


8 
I 


li? 


I.:i 


!' 

P 
1'' 

1 

A 

% 


84 


THE    ULAU-UUMFBS 


burs  in  oiild  Irclatiil,  Ciud  bo,  praised  !  And  wouldn't  it 
be  a  mighty  lucky  tliinj^.  Dirk,  av  none  of  their  hornicra 
wouUl  be  nadin«^  the  skin,  in  rejjard  that  JNlary  hernelf 
bus  niver  a  bed  to  lie  on  at  all,  barrin  tiio  snow  ;  and 
this  same  skin  making  such  an  illigant  warm  malthrass, 
anyhow." 

Crofton  declareti  t!iut  Dirk,  who  really  killed  the 
bear,  had  the  best  rijrhl  to  the  skin  ;  and  of  course  it 
was  j)resented  to  pretty  Mary,  as  INIike  desired;  Dennis 
at  the  same  ti  ;ie  j)ompously  reproving  him  lor  his  errors 
of  lau'jua're. 

"Will  it  be  the  English  at  all,  Mike,"  said  he,  "that 
you're  talking  to  their  honors  ;  and  me  shamed  on  you, 
afther  troublinjx  to  taehe  you  from  the  |)rinted  book, 
along  with  the  Latin  ;  that  same  being  the  ould  ancient 
tO).  n'  from  the  beginning,  when  the  world  was  nnide, 
among  all  the  nations  of  the  earth,  (jod  be  praised  it 
is,  we've  presui  ved  that  sann3 !  " 

"Sure  then,  niasiher,"  answered  Mike,  "it's  not 
Latin  I'd  be  talkin'  out  of  school,  and  niver  a  book  to 
be  sakin  out  the  words;  ;>  \d  nobody  but  yourself  mind- 
ing them  hard  words,  bar*  ,ug  it  would  be  them  Injuns 
would  be  knowin'  the  Latin  bellher  nor  the  Knglish." 

Dick,  still  greatly  excited  by  the  adventure,  now 
inquired  of  Pat  how  it  happened  he  had  encountered 
the  bear.  "  Sure  then,"  answered  the  hoy,  not  much 
worse  for  his  fall,  "  wjisn't  I  takin'  a  look  into  a  snug 
cabin,  niver  dranpng  the  baste  was  livin'  in  that  same, 
and  he,  not  likin'  to  be  spied,  comin'  out  on  me  ;  and 
wasn't  I  sharp  in  runnin'  up  the  three,  musha!" 

"  Will  there  be  another  bar  in  that  same  cabin, 
maybe,"  said  Mike;  "  sure  then  we'd  betther  be  firing 
in  ;  will  ye  be  sho»  in'  us  the  door,  Pat  ?  ** 


OF    THK    UUCKT    MOUNT  AIN8. 


9t 


Pat  was  nothing  lotli  to  conduct  lii.s  ('o^lpa^lon«  to 
tlie  scene  of  Ii'im  unlucky  intrusion,  pointinir  out  n  low, 
Busj)icious-lookin;jj  opcniu}^  in  the  face  of  a  buwh-covcreU 
rock.  Mike  would  have  entcM'cd  it  at  once,  hut  Dick, 
givin<r  him  a  cull',  drew  him  hack,  and  employed  liim  in 
collecting  a  heuj)  of  dry  hushes,  which  he  threw  into 
the  mouth  of  the  den,  and  tlien  set  on  fire.  A  deep 
growling,  and  the  sight  of  some  moving  form  within  the 
cave,  assured  him  they  had  yet  more  work  to  do.  Two 
or  thn'C  shots  were  therefore  tired,  which  were  followe<l 
by  howls  and  then  by  silence.  This  gave  thcjn  cour- 
age, and  Dick,  pushing  a  lighted  torch  before  him 
crawled  into  the  den,  and  returned,  dragging  out  two 
well-grown  cubs,  both  already  dead. 

"The  poor  bastes!"  cried  Mary.  "Sure  thin,  Mr. 
Marlin,  you'd  as  well  not  mislested  them.  They'd  niver 
be  harming  us,  young  things  as  they  are!" 

"To  speak  the  truth,  Mary,"  said  Mr.  Rodney,"! 
am  somewhat  of  your  opinion.  I  think  this  second 
d<'ed  very  much  resembles  wanton  njurd<'r,  and  there- 
fore, my  good  friends,  I  propose  that  we  continui;  our 
journey  with  a  determination  to  explore  no  more 
caves." 

"  You'll  may-be  not  sneeze  at  a  bear-steak,  for  all 
that,  sir,"  said  Dick,  "  seeing  we've  about  forgotten  how 
flesh-meat  eat,  like.  Lend  a  hand,  ye  idle  chaps,  and 
let's  have  these  here  beasts  skinned  and  cut  up." 

The  old  bear  was  skinned,  but  was  found  so  meagre 
from  its  winter  seclusion,  that,  in  the  abundance  of  food, 
they  left  the  carcase  untouched.  The  young  ones,  when 
skinned,  were  in  good  condition,  and  were  immediately 
cut  I'p  for  use.  Then  the  young  men  cleansed  the 
akiiiff   as   v<^ell  as  circumstances  permitted,  in  a   littl« 


fi 


It 


86 


THE    BEAR-HDNTErfS 


Stream  which  fell  over  the  rocks,  and  whijh  doi.btlesa 
had  influenced  the  bear  iti  the  choice  of  an  abode ;  they 
afterwards  spread  the  skins  to  dry,  and  then  sat  down 
to  an  ample  dish  of  bear-steaks  which  the  women  had 
broiled,  and  which  the  hungry  {?ue>ts  all  agreed  to  be 
far  superior  to  any  beef  or  pork  they  had  ever  eaten. 

"  I  say,  my  lads,"  observed  Dick,  who  occasionally 
forgot  all  ceremony,  "  what  about  all  that  firing :  think 
ye  these  Injun  fellows  would  be  in  liearing  of  it?  ' 

"  I  have  been  greatly  troubled  with  the  fear  that  they 
would,"  said  Scruton  ;  "but  in  the  dilemma  in  which 
that  mischievous  boy  had  placed  us,  v/e  were  compelled 
to  r».  k  ihe  experiment.  We  must,  however,  move  on 
as  soon  as  we  have  dined." 

"  An  unpleasant  suggestion.  Captain  Scruton,"  said 
Rodney,  "and  after  a  plentiful  meal,  such  a  movement 
would  be  calculated  to  produce  indigestion.  I  would 
willingly  indulge  in  half  an  hour's  reposes  and  several  of 
our  friends  who  have,,  I  observe,  thoroughly  enjoyed 
the  steaks,  will  doubtless  agree  with  me." 

On  the  whole,  however,  as  tbi-.y  could  not  possibly 
march  quickly,  it  was  thought  expedient  to  make  a  fur- 
ther j)rogress  before  night,  especially  as  all  desired  to 
come  on  a  clear  spot  for  the  night's  encam))ment,  that 
they  might  more  conveniently  keep  watch  against  bears, 
wolves  or  Indians.  So  enclosing  the  meat  in  the  two 
email  skins,  and  dragging  the  larger  one  after  them, 
they  moved  slowly  under  their  heavy  burdens,  till  the 
temptation  of  a  little  hollow  glade,  where  the  bare  rocks 
had  interrupted  the  growth  of  the  trees,  induced  them 
to  pause. 

They  spread  the  skins  on  the  ground,  and  the  snow 
baving  ceased,  mpde  a  fire,  and  on  the  branches  which 


J  fi 


OF    THE    ROCKT    MOUNTAINS. 


8; 


overhung  it,  su-ipemled  the  legs  of  tlu;  bears  thut  the 
ineut  iniglit  be  dried  hi  the  smoke.  Then  they  ruiseU 
the  tents,  uiid  keeping  akenmte  wuteh,  passed  a  (]ut<;t 


nignt. 


*'  Diek,"  said  Will  o  his  companion  in  the  la.st 
watch,  as  they  stood  by  '-he  fire  leaning'  on  thrii  rifles, 
amidst  the  stillness  of  the  vast  dark  forest,  — "  Diek, 
did  you  notice  what  sort  of  man  the  white  chief  of  tha 
Indians  was  ? ' 

"White  he  wasn't  boy,"  answered  Diek,  ** seeing 
his  face  were  painted  all  mahncrs  of  colors;  and  I'd 
defy  his  own  mother  to  have  known  him,  daubed  that 
way,  but  I  seed  as  how  he  were  a  line  made  big 
fellow,  straight  as  an  arrow,  and  showed  fairish  good 
action." 

"  Did  he  \  ulk  well,  and  ciep  out  firm  as  if  he'd  been 
drilled?"  asked  Will  tremiilou-ly. 

"  Stit'as  a  grenadier  wit  i  his  stock  on,  and  marching 
in  time,  as  if  t'  b;ind  v  ore  playing,"  replied  Dick. 

William  was  silent  and  agitated  ;  at  length  he  said, 
"  He  wouldf  be  Irish,  may-be,  Diek  ?  —  you  said  he 
talked  about  Ireland." 

"  Ay,  ay,  talk  he  did  for  sartain  about  friends  in 
Ireland,"  answered  Dick,  "but  niver  a  bit  of  such 
were  he  himself.  He  hacked  his  words  up  fine-like, 
all  in  quality  fashion.  It  wasn't  my  way  of  talkii  at 
all,  and  not  altogether  so  free  and  easy-like  as  Mr. 
Rodney  and  Mr.  Crofton  talks.  But  I'd  like  to  know 
what  ails  ye,  man  ;  I  can't  make  ye  out  at  all.  There 
ye  are  from  morn  till  night  always  moping  and  musitig 
about  seme  nonsentie,  all  the  world  like  a  sehule  lad 
whining  afler  his  mother.  Open  your  mind,  can't  y^ 
lad." 


4 


A 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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&., 


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&. 


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1.0    !riM  iiiiiM 


I.I 


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PhotDgrapijic 

Sdences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


88 


THE    BEAR-nUNTERS 


William  strnj^gled  Ui  J  stammered,  but  he  could  not 
"open  his  mind"  to  Dick,  wlio  knew  nothing  of  his 
history ;  and  the  j)roud,  shy  lad  continued  to  brood 
drearily  over  his  suspicions  and  his  sorrows  alone. 
Doubtless  there  was  something  depressing  in  the 
eternal  gloom  of  the  sombre  mountain  forest,  where 
they  were  simt  out  from  every  view  of  nature  except 
the  dark  wintry  foliage  around  them,  while  above 
them  rose  high  and  threatening  the  snow-crowned 
peaks  of  the  mountains,  as  they  pursued  their  toilsome 
and  dreary  journey,  ujicheered  by  any  sound  by  day, 
and  at  night  startled  by  the  howling  of  the  hungry  wolf. 

The  young  bore  all  this  bravely ;  the  old  school- 
master silently  pined,  and  Scruton  grew  more  despond- 
ing every  day ;  and  many  days  still  found  them  strug- 
gling through  the  wood,  even  after  tlieir  meat  was 
exhausted,  for  eleven  hungry  travellers  soon  consumed 
the  bear's  flesh,  especially  as,  regardless  of  Scruton's 
admonitions  and  injunctions  to  be  economical,  they 
fear.ted  to  their  heart's  content  while  it  lasted,  trusting 
more  game  might  fall  in  their  way.  At  the  end  of  a 
few  days  of  short  allowance,  the  pleasant  murmur  of 
waters  broke  on  their  ears  ;  and  making  their  way  in 
the  direction  of  the  sound,  they  reached  a  cascade, 
where  the  water,  pouring  over  a  high  rock,  flowed 
in  a  deep  channel  below,  probably  in  the  spring  filled 
with  the  melted  snow ;  now,  though  sh jt  in  between 
two  rocky  walls,  there  still  remained  a  hem  of  dry  rock 
on  each  side  of  the  clear  purling  stream.  Mike  flung 
himself  down  on  his  knees  to  drink  the  pure  fresh 
water,  for  they  had  for  some  days  had  i  othing  but 
melted  snow,  and  in  his  delight  he  cried  out, — 

"  God's  name    be  praised,   and  will    we  kape   close 


OF  tup:  rocky  mountains. 


s% 


along  with  it,  yer  honners  ?  Sure  won't  it  be  good 
company  altogether,  and  may  be  lading  us  out  of  this 
same  Mack  prison." 

So  long  a  they  could  find  a  path  at  the  side  of 
til  is  welcome  stream,  it  was  determined  that  they 
should  follow  its  guidance,  and  they  wound  along  the 
narrow  bank  through  the  defile,  which  was  guarded 
on  each  side  b^  bare  precipitous  walls  of  rock,  while 
along  the  edge  of  the  water  here  and  there  was  seen  a 
dry  sickly-looking  willow.  For  about  a  mile  they 
went  on,  scarcely  knowing  the  direction  they  were 
taking;  then  the  gully  became  wider,  but  more  dif- 
ficult to  pass,  for  huge  fragments  of  rock,  fallen  from 
above,  impeded,  and  often  threatened  to  cut  off  their 
progress,  and  the  entangling  bi'ushwood  again  appeared. 

But  wild  fowl  were  now  seen  hovering  over  the 
water,  and  the  guns  soon  provided  ar.  ample  and 
welcome  supply  of  food;  and  they  had  the  satisfaction 
to  discover  that  the  defile  passed  through  the  high 
peaks  of  the  mountains,  and  that  they  were  now 
actually  descending.  They  again  came  on  the  pine 
forest ;  but  it  was  less  dense  than  before,  and  opened 
into  small  glades,  some  of  which,  however,  they  saw 
with  uneasiness  had  been  cleared  by  fire. 

Still  following  the  stream  they  marched  on,  till  they 
were  tempted  to  turn  aside  along  a  bare  jutting  crag, 
to  the  very  edge  of  which  Harold  ventured  to  look 
over,  and  he  saw  with  pleasure,  far  below,  pleasant 
plains,  covered  already  with  green  herbage,  though  it 
wjis  only  the  end  of  January  ;  and  though  around  and 
above  them  the  snow  was  still  lying,  s[»ring  seemed 
commencing  below. 

In  another  day  they  reached  the  grassy  slopes  which 

8* 


Hi 


9>  ' 


t    I 


I    S 


*      I- 


i    i 


90 


THK    BEAK-nUNTKR9 


formed  tlie  base  of  tlio  mounlain  cliain,  and  sdonj^  \iie 
banks  of  their  stream,  now  a  river,  they  proceed^nl, 
iudging  it  would  flow  towards  some;  hik(;  or  hir^er  river, 
which  might  prove  an  elVeetnal  guide.  Along  their 
road  lay  masses  of  fallen  rock,  overgrown  with  mosses 
and  creeping  plants,  which  would,  doubtless,  be  beau- 
tiful in  summer.  Tall  withered  grass  covered  the 
ground,  through  which  the  new  short  green  herbage 
was  springing,  and  timber-trees  were  scattered  over  the 
plains;  not  only  pines,  in  their  everlasting  garb  of 
mourning,  but  various  deciduous  trei's  of  great  size, 
which,  though  naked,  were  still  picturesque.  Beyond 
these  pleasant  plains,  at  many  miles'  distance,  might  be 
seen  another  gloomy  forest  and  another  dark  c;hain  of 
mountains.  The  sun  was  shining  brightly  and  even 
warndy  uj)on  this  pleasant  scene,  and  the  weary  trav- 
f'llers  uttered  a  cry  of  thankfulness  as  they  stepped 
upon  it.     Deiniis  sat  down  on  the  grass  and  said, — 

*'  Sure,  won't  we  as  well  stop  here  as  wander 
further?  What  will  ye  be  thiid<ing,  Peggy  ?  Maybe 
the  captain  would  be  setting  on  his  carpenther  to  help 
our  own  boys;  and  they  getting  us  up  a  snug  cabin  and 
a  potatoe-ground,  seeing  we  have  some  left  for  seed. 
And  our  ducks  at  the  door,  and  niver  a  penny  of  rint 
to  pay.  Siire  I'd  end  my  days  paceful  here ;  and  you, 
Peggy,  and  INIary,  and  the  boys,  to  wake  me  like  a 
r.hristian." 

At  this  suggestion,  Peggy  looked  round  on  the 
Bolitary  spot  with  alarm,  a»id,  contrary  to  her  habit, 
was  silent.  Mary  began  to  weep,  and  Will  said,  "  I 
came  oui,  Mr.  OTieilly,  to  seek  my  father,  and  1  must 
go  on  a  bit  longer  yet  before  I  can  be  satisHed." 

"Sure    thin,   raaifttier,"    i«aid    Mike,   "you'd    not   b« 


or     niK    HOCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


91 


kapiu'  U3  all  fixed  down  »n  this  8amc  ?  Sorra  a  i)lr(i 
fiings  here,  nor  a  rabbii  runs,  \vX  alone  a  cow  or  a 
horso;  and  motiier,  dear,  you'd  be  missing  the  pig 
comin'  in  and  out,  nat'ral  like,  and  niver  a  grunter  here. 
Worra !    won't  it  be  dull  in  this  altogether?" 

"  My  good  friend,"  said  Rodney,  lookirig  with  eom« 
passion  on  the  wearied  old  man,  "  you  must  not  remain 
here.  On  the  west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  the  Indian 
tribes  are  notorJousl}  ignorant  and  barbarous." 

*' The  more's  their  luck,  then,"  answered  Dennis, 
"  that  it  has  pleased  Grod  to  send  such  a  man  as  I  am 
among  them,  to  be  larning  them  to  be  scholars  and 
Christians.  And  ]\Iary  'here,  capable  of  a  class  of 
faymale  girls,  and  i)Utting  them  up  to  needle-work  and 
fine  arts,  and  such  ni('eties,  as  are  not  suitable  for  a  man 
of  learning  to  be  stooping  to." 

With  some  difficulty  Mr.  Rodiiey  and  Harold  pre- 
vailed on  the  schoolmaster  to  seek  a  more  convenient 
epot  for  his  college  of  instruction  in  learning  and  the 
fine  arts,  and  to  go  on  with  them  over  a  road,  njw  com- 
paratively easy  ;  and,  after  a  peaceful  and  profitable 
Sunday's  rest,  they  pursued  their  way  along  t'.ie  banks 
of  the  river. 

"  Will  your  honner  be  carryin'  a  fishing-book  ? 
inquired  Mike,  coming  up  in  great  excitement  to  Harold 
"  Sure  we  wouldn't  be  lettin  them  big  salmons  be;  swim- 
ming oH",  and  we  niver  seeing  a  taste  of  them  since  we 
were  leaving  ould  Ireland,  where,  sure,  salmons  grow 
as  nat'ral  as  pratees ;  and  Dick  saying  he'd  rig  up  a  rod 
with  a  willow-branch,  av  yer  honner  would  be  givin  ua 
the  hooks." 

John  was  ordered  to  lower  the  portmanteau  of  bis 
master  from  his  Bhoulders,  that  it  might  W  searched  foi 


98 


TIIK    Br.AU-lirNTKIlS 


i  ! 


r^H 


fishiiij;  tackle,  and  not  oiiiy  did  it  prodiicc  ati  am[)Ie 
BUj)})!}'  of  liooks.  lines,  ami  Hies,  but  also  a  portable  rod, 
wbii'.li  could  easily  b(^  fitted  for  use;  und  Mike,  who 
seemed  (skilled  in  an;^lin;j;,  was  permitted  to  make  the 
first  experiment  witii  it.  He  soon  returned  in  trium))h 
with  three  noble  lish,  which  were  imniediately  cooked, 
and  a  salmon  least  was  an  agreeable  change  for  the 
(ravelh'rs,  who  enjoyed  it  the  more  as  they  had  still  the 
hotnitil'id  river,  with  its  inexhaustible  riches  before 
tliem. 

*'  There's  some  sense  in  this,"  said  Dick,  *'  it's  a  deal 
better  nor  fishing  up  gold-dust  like  them  rowdy  chaps  in 
Calitorny,  as  is  always  cutting  one  another's  throats  lor 
tluiir  gains,  that  never  does  none  on  'em  any  good. 
Keep  to  salmoii-lishing,  my  lads,  it's  a  cannier  businesj 
nor  •rold-iishin'j;." 

"  Sure,  JNIr.  Marlin,"  said  Peggy,  "  wasn't  I  always 
drivin'  that  same  into  ArnclitVe,,  Will's  father,  but  niver, 
by  no  manes  was  he  mindin'  me.  And  him  hiving  the 
poor  boy,  and  niver  sendin'  a  line  to  say  he  were  dead 
or  livin'  all  these  years ;  sure,  then,  wouldn't  it  be  the 
gold  as  changed  his  heart." 

Then  Peggy  repeated  the  history  of  Arncliffe's  enor- 
mities, and  Dick  now  comprehended  why  William  was 
60  serious,  and  why  he  had  (piestioncd  him  about  the 
white  chief,  and  he  shook  his  hea<l  as  he  named  it 
afterwards  to  Mr.  Rodney,  and  added,  "  (Jod  help  him, 
sir,  if  it  were  so,  and  1  wouldn't  wonder  ;  for  that  Cali- 
foruy  turns  men  into  rogues  and  murderers." 


OK    IIIH    KOCKV    MOIJNTAIXS. 


98 


CHAPTER     IX. 

Indian  Loclj^os.  —  A.  Cniil\iKi(»ii  of  Toiij^imR. — 'I'lip,  succosHful  Op- 
tion of  (lie  Sclionliiiasldr.  —  A.  Lesson  in   IJiiildiiif;.  — The  niarvt 
Ions  Shot.  —  A  Salmon  Keawt.  —  A  fliintin^  Kxpedilion.  —  Itea. 
on  all  Bicleti. 


As  they  \V(M»t  I'orwanl,  they  vvero  fniqiK'ntly  startled 
by  traces  of  tlie  visits  of  man ;  the  grass  traiuph.'d 
down,  the  marks  of  a  fire;  ab,)ve  all,  a  broken  ;urow 
on  tlie  gronnd  greatly  alarmed  the  timid,  and  all  were 
in  readiness  for  a  sui'prist;.  For  two  or  three  days, 
however,  they  pursuiMl  their  way  by  the  river  quietly, 
but  then,  passing  through  a  grove  of  [)iP3  treses,  they 
came  suddenly  on  Indian  lodgcis.  Five  or  six  large 
huts,  shaped  like  bee-hives,  were  erected,  apart  from 
each  other,  and  on  the  tops  were  standing  several 
Indians  gazing  with  astonishment  at  the  procession  of 
strange  beings  advancing.  They  were  merely  clad  in  a 
blanket  or  cloak  of  skins;  v.ith  shoes  or  sandals  of 
woven  reeds,  and  a  head-dniss  of  the  same  materials. 
They  did  not  seem  to  be  numerous,  nor  inclined  to  be 
offensive,  and  the  travellers  wouhl  willingly  have  com- 
iiunicated  with  them,  but  the  dilliculty  seemed  insur- 
mountable. At  length  Mr.  Rodney  and  Harold,  waving 
orunclies  of  pine,  undertook  to  advance  and  make  such 
-overtures  as  they  were  able,  the  rest  being  ready  to 
defend  them  if  they  saw  any  a])[  darance  of  hostility. 

"  I'd  try  them  with  Latin,  Mr.  Rodney,"  said  DeDJiis, 


„! 


;  ■ 


if 


iri\: 


94 


THr,    BKAK-in!NTK.nH 


"  snro  some  of  llirir  words  would  he  comin;^  from  the 
thrue  ould  stock." 

ISIr.  Rodney  drclined  th<^  rxpcrimeiit.  ralluM-  clioosing 
to  rely  on  the  universal  lan;j;un}i;e  ol'  mule  ('Xj)r<'ssion, 
wliich  he  was  soon  called  on  to  use,  for  the  chief,  as 
they  jud;;ed  him  to  he,  hy  the  eajjle's  plumes  he  wore, 
came  forward  to  meet  them,  lie  spoke:  in  a  pieasant, 
musical  voic(!  some,  unknown  words,  and  seemed  aston- 
ished that  they  did  not  reply  to  him,  till  Harold  spoke 
in  Knsjjlish,  and  intimated  hy  gestures  that  such  was 
their  language. 

The  Indian  seem(>d  then  first  to  comprehend  that  his 
Dwn  was  not  the  universal  language,  and  he  pointed  to 
the  different  complexion  of  the  .strangers  and  of  him- 
self, to  express  that  this  must  be  the  cause  of  the  vari- 
ance of  th(^ir  tongues.  Then  Harold,  with  a  world  of 
difficulty,  tried  by  signs  to  explain  that  they  were  lost; 
and  that  they  wished  to  find  the  people  who  had  com- 
plexions like  their  own,  and  prayed  the  chief  to  lead 
them  to  these  people. 

The  man  seemed  to  be  amazed  ;  then  spreading  his 
arms  round  in  every  direction,  he  pointed  to  his  own 
complexion,  plainly  showing  that  he  believed  the  whole 
world  to  be  copper-colored,  the  unfortunate  party  before 
him  alone  forming  the  miserable  exception.  Thft 
women  now  descended  from  the  roofs  of  the  huts  to 
look  curiously  on  the  strangers,  and  seeming  satisfied 
that  they  ^^ere  not  dangerous  creatures,  they  retired  to 
bring  from  their  dwellings  bundles  of  dried  fish,  very 
unpleasant  in  appearance  and  in  odor,  and  placed  them 
before  their  visitors,  motioning  them  to  eat. 

"  God  help  them,  the  poor  ignorant  haytheos  !"  said 
Peggy,  "  will  they  be  at  in  this  same  carrion  ?     Sure, 


OF    Tin;    llOCKV    MOINTAINS. 


9a 


thin,  inai-tliei,  it's  yours<;ir  must  ho  ♦jilkin'  to  tlinn,  and 
incHMisiiig  them  Jis  how  tiicy'd  ho  catcliinn;  the  suhnons 
fthogt'tlicr  fresli,  and  utin'  them  like  Christians." 

The  "mastiier"  was  lor  the  first  tinu;  sihjnced  and 
mortified  by  the  conviction  of  his  inability  to  conv(;rse 
with  thessi  peojjle,  till  Mike  said, — 

"  Will    ye  be   thryin'  them   in    raal   Irish,  masther 
may-be  they  d  be  knowin'  that  sooner    nor    the  grand 
English." 

On  this  hint  Dennis  poured  forth  an  oration  in  Irish 
which  excited  the  astonishment  and  even  the  awe  of  the 
natives,  who  seemcid  to  distinguish  that  the  language, 
was  different  from  that  in  which  Crofton  had  addressed 
them.  They  looked  on  the  white  hairs  and  withered 
face  of  the  old  man  with  a  sort  of  veneration,  evid(;ntly 
supposing  ho  held  rank  among  the  tribe  —  probably 
jmlging  him  to  be  the  medicine-man  —  and  the  women 
flocked  round  him,  holding  up  their  children,  as  if  to 
solicit  his  beneficial  influence  upon  them. 

Flattered  and  moved  by  this  reverence,  Dennis,  un- 
conscious of  the  confirmation  he  was  affording  to  their 
error,  laid  his  hands  on  the  children,  and  looking  up  to 
heaven,  he  prayed  loudly  that  their  eyes  might  be  opened, 
and  that  God  might  be  pleased  to  bestow  on  them  the 
blessing  of  the  true  faith.  The  ignorant  women  evi- 
dently thought  he  was  pronouncing  some  incantation, 
and  wept  much  as  they  prostrated  themselves,  with  one 
accord,  before  him. 

Then  summoning  their  husbands  to  assist  them,  the 
women  proceeded  towards  a  thicket  of  high  bushes, 
which,  though  still  leafless,  emitted  an  aromatic  smell, 
Mr.  Rodney  pronounced  them  to  be  of  the  Artemisia 
family,  probably  the  wild  sage  of  travellers.     Armeo 


l' 


I    ; 


n 


III)      Ml    \U    MINI  I  KM 


HJlli  si,Mti'  !)\t"4.  ll)i<  tniMi  Moot)  nil  ilowti  !i  <|ii!ititilv  o' 
{\\o  \\\\  l)n)ll«>l))<-4  ;  HM)i  I  >it>k,  HOiMII^  IIh'M-  •>in|t|iiy  iimmiI, 
Btt'ppt'il  f'orw.'iril  ^\i(h  lii^  two,  nml  t'lli'tlinilly  iiMHisdMl 
(Immu,  (o  (Immi*  (M{ii:iI  iisl«>i)islnn<>i)t  iniil  saii^liii'liMti,  IiIm 
H\*>  r\«'itin^  tltrir  ti«innrit(iiiu  iimi  «'ii|ii<lily  in  nilluT  ini 
nlMiiniMfi  lUMMiHT.  A>j  \\\o  ImmihIh'^  (i'll,  llio  \v«tiin'ii 
tstllotMi'tl  ilicnt,  mikI  «<t)ii'i(>«l  llirtn  In  M  «'l<'iir  Ii<m>I  plot  ol 
Uroiiutl.  \\  lien*  (l»«'\  Ix'^nn  to  inrMM}»,«'  iIhiu  in  n  rir- 
OiiltU' ioiiu  ;  MMil  l>i«k,  MOW  ptMOt'i\  iuj;  tl.jil  thoir  inloii- 
lion  WHS  to  crtM't  n  lull  on  tho  smiiip  plan  mm  thrir  own, 
llionohi  propor  to  inttMliMt'  nn«l  Mll«Mnpl  ,'-»)nM>  iiM|Mov(»- 
nioMi. 

Ho  iMJt  «low  n  sonu'  <»!'  tho  willow  m  IIimI  i^i'tnv  ou  iIm^ 
l>;\nks  or  tln»  vi\«M-,  Mnd  plMnt<Ml  pt»l«'s,  rioln  loot  in  Icn^lli, 
\\\  ',\  oiivlo.  tyinjj  iIumu  tootMht-r  nl  llic  top  in  a  ronii'ui 
form.  This  s(MMU(mI  to  astonish  tin'  wmncn,  who  pointctl 
ont  then-  own  hnis,  «)nly  tonr  fcrt  in  htij'.hl.  us  inodrls. 
U(>  n<'\l.  wiih  th('  Hssistanoc  ol'  ll\o  linliMiis,  w.no  tho 
wigo  braiu'lios  hrtw«MM»  lln>  p«>l(>s  ior  the  wmIIm  jiihI  tool', 
lo:»vin}i  an  <M^traniM'  hoU)w.  Tin  ih"  women  st'v«Mal 
times  attempted  \o  till  np.  pointing  to  the  distant  inonn- 
(ainv^J  at  the  <>ast  ami  west,  ami  imilalinp;  ti>e  roars  of  the 
viUi  beasts,  and  then  to  the  north  and  sonth,  and  witli 
hostil(>  j^estnres  indiealinj:;  that  Indian  peophs  »d'  the  samo 
otunpiexion  as  themselves,  wonld  eome  and  war  aj:;ainsl 
them,      l^nl  Oiek  was  unmoved. 

"A  park  ot'  titles  ! "  said  he  to  Harold,  who  was 
walehinj:;.  and  anuisc^l  willi  the  eontention,  "to  elandier 
itito  tluMT  lu)uses  ihrouiih  t'  roofs  s<n>ner  nor  lhi>ni^h 
t'  doors.  lik<^  other  t'olk.  Tse  hardlv  let  them  hnllv  n\« 
out  ot'  my  nat'ral  senses.  I'd  like  onybody  eatehing  me 
building  a  house  without  iver  a  dov>r." 

Harold    eompreheuded    that    Uie    hospitable    Indimia 


«M       Mil       l»«M    KV      Mnl   \|,\IN«. 


97 


itK'niil  (lii'4  liiil  In  Im'  !t  Imliriiiir  Inr  ilii'ir  vi  i((tr>-.  iiimI  llm' 
tlli'V  wrn<  r«Milly  t|islr"^4«'«|  llml  il  >i|i  hiM  not  Kcriir^ 
flirm  niniiiHl  iliiiijM'r,  mimI  Iic«  i'n<l<Miv<»i(  <I  In  rv|il)iiii  Ir 
|Im>  •  liit  r  llitil  IIh'v  liinl  oilier  hmkIch  oI"  «|»((fic«'  fijniiimt 
wild  Im'ms|4  or  Ihiiiimm  lor^  ;  he  «li(»w»'«l  lln*  «lii»  I  lii«  jJjiiri, 
IIhii  |)niiittii)r  Id  II  wild  diM'k  jiht  li-iiij;^  IVinn  fli»'  rivor, 
Im>  liiniii'lit  il  ddwii  willi  n  mImiI. 

Willi  loud  «'ri«v>4  llm  |K'o|»|(<  Mlniiidoncil  thrir  »'iri|»loy- 
rmiil,  lo  crowd  loiind  iIh-  lilrrdinif,  dyiii'^  l»iid,  mid  to 
look     willi    iiwr    on    llir    iiiiiidrioii-;    w  ii|ioii  ;    lli'ii    {\^^'y 


InlKrd   willi   TMi 


Il  otii 


Ml',  Mild  Mrriiird  lo  ici'ind    lii*'  '^•.Iimii- 


^oi'M     willi    slill     dcrprr    v<imi  iilion. 


I 


l»rri|ior)iry 


|od^n«  w'lH  soon  Dii^uMl,  llic  woinrii  Inoiii'lil  n  '|ii)irilily 
nf  clrjin  dry  iii-li("<,  mid  slirw«'d  iImmi  »»v*'r  lli**  floor, 
llini  llicy  piddiicrd  iHw,  iK'fil,  vvftviri  null ',  )il»oiil  lour 
Cert  '^<|ii!ii(',  wliirli  llu-y  spri'Md  nl»oiit,  pi(»l»iili|y  irMnniii^ 
flirm  lor  slrrpiiiK  •oiicIm''.  I'^iridlly,  IIm  y  invilrd  ||i« 
ulnin^rrs  lo  liiKf  <K^r-(sion  of  lli»ir  »lwrllin/.  I)i<-k 
('oni|»l«'ird  iIh'  inlrrior  hy  jtfirlilioiiinn;  u  poili«>n  off  l*f»r 
(In*  wouH'ii,  who  i^'lfidly  smI  down  in  lli<  lirt  liorrn'-liko 
npiirlnifiil  lliry  liiid  rnlcn-d  siiM'«'  lliiir  iinrortnruil'",  wliip- 

WMM'k. 

Jiul  Sciiiion  mid  Mr.  Ko(|n''y,  on  cori-^idfririn;  fip^x-ar- 
JUKTM,  Ix'^mi  lo  snsprcl,  lluil.  iIm-  Indi;ins  wi  .lifd  U>  dr>- 
liiin  llicni  |M'rni!iiu',ntly,  lluy  fviiKvd  ntt  irin(-li  joy  now 
(lull  llii'y  liJid  ('!i;j!;<d  lln-ir  liirdy..  Tli'-y  lnon^lif  f»iif,  a 
rolir  (d'  skins  ycvy  ncMlly  prrpjirfd,  with  which  fli'-y  in- 
vrslcd  DciiniH,  who  whs  notliin;^  lojith,  li^r  old  i\<*('.  rruide 
him  nlvvnys  (rhill,  mid  his  (•(Jiicrit  w.'n  /^rjitilied  l>y  the 
flisliiH'tion. 


1 1,' 


>l(^   Il 


s  a  knowin    pcopUi   Ihry  fire,  juIIkt  /ill,     sfii 


flh 


ill, 


rl   Y 


\o,. 


"  Sure   won't  ihry  Im   scoin;^  as   how   '  iHiriin^   is   most 

m  s;iys.      Uiit  Huro,  it's  Homa 


fixfolh'iil,'  as   I  ill',  oiild   po<^ 


98 


Tin:  HrAR-nrM'i  n« 


!    . 


jhan:?  I'm  Adln;?,  .^orinj^  as  liow  Mr.  Koilncy,  Ix-ing 
always  rcckoiUMi  a  <;(kmI  scholar  in  yowv  Ku^iW^h  co\U'>*e^ 
inay-lM'  wril  he  tiiriiiii;^  mad,  (o  lie  set  iiimU'.i'  inystdf 
allo^zcllirr." 

Harold  assured  IMr.  O'Kcilly  lliat  liis  tutor  was  re- 
f<i;4;n«'d,  and  satisliod,  as  all  his  tVlciidrt  were,  that  tliM 
inaollo  had  t'allcii  on  the  ri^ht  shoulders. 

"  All  this  uoiis<>iis(;  is  !UUioyin;jj,  Mr.  (^'ol'ton,"  said 
Serulon,  '*  lor  it  is  out  of  tlu;  (juestiou  that  \v<'  shouhl 
choose  this  port  to  lay  u|)  in  ;  where  we  can  do  no 
f;oo<l,  and  where  we  can  exjieet  nothin;^  hetler  than  to 
he  reujularly  |)lundered,  and  jx-rhaps  nuinlered.  I  have 
observed  that  these  sava<j;es  east  a  greedy  eye  on  our 
freight." 

"  I  think  they  would  like  to  have  I)iek\s  axe,"  re- 
[>lied  Harold;  "and  no  wonder,  for  I  suspect  it  is  the 
first   iron  implement  they  hav(»  ever  seen.     They  seem 


'}' 


friendly  })eople  ;  do  you  think  there  is  a  spare  axo 
Hinong  your  stores  to  give  them?" 

'*  Give,  do  you  say,  Mr.  (Jroflon?"  said  the  captain. 
•' AVe  don't  know  yet  what  we  may  ne«Ml  ourselves,  and 
an  axe  like  that  costs  a  good  round  sum.  If  vou  had 
had  them  to  pay  for,  pei'haps  you'd  not  be  so  ready,  sir, 
to  throw  them  away." 

"  An  axe  is  it,  cai)tain,"  said  Dick.  "  Why  then, 
we've  four  on  'em,  big  and  little,  and  one  would  nivcr 
be  missed.  These  blackies  is  canny  folks  enough,  they 
is,  if  one  could  tell  what  they  mean,  but  it's  hard  work 
making  it  out  with  twisting  and  girning  like." 

As  Scruton  seemed  much  o})i)Osed  to  parting  with 
any  of  his  proi)erty,  Mr.  Kodney  advised  Harold  to 
waive  the  question  at  present,  till  they  were  perfectly 
satis/ied  of  the  friendly  intention  of  the   Indians,  with 


i  : 
t  i 


OK    THK    KOOKY    MOl MAINS. 


•J'.) 


iwlioiii  it  (Ii*I  rrally  hcciii  ailvi.siii)l4!  tlial  tlxy  sliouM 
iiiakt'  a  lcin|)<>rai-y  iv.M^  us  all  8<>(MiH'tl  ((iix't,  in  onlcr  lo 
recruit  their  btrciij^tli,  and  to  ('uu.si<l<T  their  Ijlun;  inove- 

llieiitH. 

Ill  (he  iiieaii  time,  IMiki;  had  eMii<j;ht  two  lar;;;'^  sahiioii, 
uiid  John  ha<l  hhol  HOiiie  wild  diirks,  and  a  lire  bcinj^ 
kindled  (iutsi(h3  the  hut,  I'e^i^y  and  Alary  husicd  thein- 
H(dves  in  pri'iiaring  a  least,  ol'  whieh  the  (;hiet'  was  to  h<! 
invited  to  partake.  It  rvas  iin|i().s.sihle  to  entertain  the 
whole  trih<',  who  ini;j;ht  amount  to  sixty  aide  men,  l>e- 
Hid(!S  women  and  ehildren.  The  large  kettle  was  hung 
over  llu!  lii-e  to  stew  the  ducks  aiul  some  j)otatoes,  and 
wIkmi  the  Indians  saw  tli(^  hiilhs,  they  hrou;^ht  sonio 
roots  which  looked  and  smelt  something  lik<!  onions  ;  Mr. 
llochiey  [)ronounced  tluiin  to  Int  a  sj)e(;i(!s  ol"  AUinia^ 
and  ctirtainly  edibh;,  and  with  his  sanction  solium  wen! 
added  to  the  stew.  The  salmon  wen;  cut  up  in  slices 
and  boiled,  and  when  the  large  metal  dishcis  hroughJ 
("rom  the  wreck  were  piled  with  the  smoking  viands, 
and  the  glittering  plates  of"  block  tin  8j)read  lound  on 
the  ground,  the  guesUs  sat  down,  and  beckoned  the  chief 
to  join  them. 

In  obedience  to  their  call,  but  yet  in  great  amaze- 
ment, he  s(iuatted  beside  them,  and  was  served  with  a 
plate  of  the  stew,  which  he  devoured  with  great  relish, 
though,  perhai)s,  his  great  admiration  was  confined  to 
the  plate  itself.  Again  and  again  was  this  plate  reple'a 
ished  with  stew  and  with  fish ;  and  as  his  appetite  grew 
less  keen,  he  had  time  to  watch  the  strangers,  and  to 
endeavor  to  imitate  their  mode  of  eating,  holding  the 
fork  admiribly,  but  always  failing  to  convey  the  morsel 
upon  it  to  his  mouth,  to  which  his  hand  naturally  was 
directed. 


U)0 


i\iv   vr  \n  inMiUrt 


^rtnuV^i^   10  t^f   ^nO{iv>    h).!i'\n  tV)\v\lr-.  w  h.>  '^toml    ikuiuI 
rs-rtio'>in^  i\yf  <Vrt«(    \\\^\\    lonfjina  i'^  <"•  *.   ''"'    ''    i<'Hinii'»l 

l^lrtli'"'    <\>M>i    i1i<>n>,  m1mi1\  «m1(>  '.\\\i\    '\\\    '■vv\\\i'A    ii>  ir()'nt| 
rt'5  •*»   )VAv1    o1    <h<''    i1iM>;\niM\.  Mud   w  1\ii  h    wiMi'    in<''(     innvil 

i''>v^nth    inr\-T>!»  III    i1i(>    riM\'-i'i^\i('nr.>    o(    ilic    )i  •<<  rlliMi  : 

r»;<(im\  >n  )ii^  1\:ii^    no    KniM\  1<  Myt^   ol    ilio    l'n\  ■  o(    «  J.xl    o» 
tv>r^n.     O  n'ln">»^tli'-l>    i1><'    nrivnvr-   il\i'\    l\'\i\    no<\    in    l1iii» 

"  Unl  »  lurh  >>  0  r\l  o  h;<>  o  l|\,-  ^>.m\  i  \  lo  1i(>lil,  ^'uplMin 
Sornton."  ^.-xn^  Ko(1no\  .  "  1  l\!n  o  >u\U'li  itl\:u\i'<'  on  iho 
fs^mpK''  s>N>'"'^  n'nnio  ol  iln<;  i^icplt^.  ^^l^l^  I\m<>  \  o(  roV- 
t^uil>    not   r\in»^'<^  rtnN    o\  il  ]MOj>(M^'.i(in'i." 

\l  >>•.•>«  %  «^i  \  )^l(\'i- :in<  n>  |v\<^  t1\o  inujn  noili  i  (ho 
nhoUfV  ol  r\  n>o1  ;  \ho  o\i(v;\t>(0  t',.\  l\;nl  olo^r.l  >\iih 
tho  piK**.  tM  'me■^>■^V^I^■'  ;  r*n<^  ihov  '-^t  ni  U\o  lollowinn  \\:\\ 
in  on<^orH^•\^v^n;i  p.-^int'wllv  it--  »^vn;<ot  inTotn^iniou  r\on\ 
thoh"  ht^'•l'».  f\n\\  in  tortohn^j)  il\on>  V'niiU  h  wonl^  1m 
jvvintin£  or.t  r^n  o)^i<v<.  ^^lnlo  <lnM  ;<r<^nin'(l  :\t  \ho  >4;nni> 
<imo  iho  t\'^ni>  rt^iMil  xxoni  nx  tho  t^nloiM  o(  iho  Oiho. 
Th*'  v'hri^l  \x.<»<  All  iiitoUur^'i^'  rnnn.  l\o  londtU  |no- 
n<^^^ntvs^  sn«^   ivn'KMiiKMVNi   tho  xxoivl^.  i\U\\  ;^p^^lio^^   (l)on\ 


^ri>' 


l^i'toro  tho  »i-\x  XX  .'^-i  ox  or.  ho  ^^>\ll^^  o!\ll  mU 
th<^  sjrsnsrois  In  thoiv  n.-inios  :  h<^  »\>nh1  s!\x,  "  UmioM 
kili   vinoV.  H.-^mj^toliA    ^hi-^   oxx  n    n:^n^o^  omI    «^n^'k.■'      Uo 


hfti 


,x-»jn:<M    . 


nt 


tl- 


<n'>"i 


thrtl 


in    H\o    n»>\il\    '.\\\ 


ll\ 


.1    tl 


10 


?»<^nrh  \hore  xxo:v  m^nv  t^niMiiii^s.  xxlu>  v\*\\rio«l  oiX  som1|>?», 
biM  -whom  he  r>c>  'k^wp^v  U^mwu  «!*  l^o  hj\r\ "  gun  "  'o  p<xv 
leoi  him. 


"1 


i.v     MM     r"  wi:  r    ^f '» frv  f  a  ivc\. 


KM 


tlUf       (I.MMdIt      (ll»V      f'tflt'l'I'Mw)       ill/  ffl    »   I   •     n      li'llffi  I       f/| 
Wf)p|q|     llin     liMiir      |ii(i|)|o     iM     |/ittfi|     M"     ill'    /    ('"Miitifl     flfif 

^H'"l  •.  ill"    l('iv>'ll»'»^    »>'«f  11':  ll  V   prny'l    lint    llrf  y   rfii(r}tt 
hn|    Ih>    iiMiilviij    in    tuiy     ivfiil'if,    «'f!|i''r(fill  y     Willi    fli'if 


IkII 


n\v   III  I '11 


\v 


K'fl       lll'^       ( 


l.irf 


(;  'I  ."/ 


lli»>      li'Mr;;'     i.l'ifi-i 


pltii'i'l  ill  ill''  lull,  'iii'l  I'Miiil  III''  iMiifi'  n  'il  III"  finitii'ili 
wliii'li  lift'l  win  II  111'  III.  lii'i  "V"  t'li'ifi",  firi'l  |i'iifiliri(/  Ut 
III"  MiMiMilfiiM!  fil  III"  "<i  1.  It"  cdifj^  "  M-iny  liffir  ;  MnroM 
hiil."  'iii'l  llfii'ild  j'tyliiHy  n''''|il''l  ill"  III' ifi'ili'Ti  A^ 
ill"  "(iiiii'iMli  I'  'il  i'lii  licc'iin''  fri'ii"  "fi  /  wi'li  ill''  ''lii»'f, 
llii'V  li'liiil  iImiI  ||i<  'I'lii  vV'T"  l:ii<i?/ii,  li'if  (lilt  nt  lliM 
Kf'H'^nii    ill"  Miiiiii'il!  wfii'  I'  I 'I'i'iii:',  fiii'l   ii    ili"  !\rr't'f/A  frf 

llin     llUlilcl         dill'   'I      I'l      \v'il|M'l      ill'   "I      f'i'fllly,       'lUlf     'if      Ml" 


III'  II      \v"i"     'III"     I'l     lull      vi'lirrr 


I'.Ml     III"     ifir>illiM^ 


"(Mill"  MpritK  (|  Im  |M'iifii.-"  "n  y  'III')  ''rhiifi  ^iic''---'-  ] 
iiii'l  llni'il'l  w'ln  ilriii.'il  i"iil  f'li  lli'  li'  i'l,  lli'nij/li  U'>'\ti<  / 
MiIvIwCmI  liic  |iii|iil  It'll  I'l  t  "  ^  III"  'Ififif/f'-  'If  ill"  '\\'ifr»t-t^ 
«t|    !t   riiiliii". 

"  I  (''ini"  'iiil    I'll    '[I'll  I,   U'l'IfK  y,"  niiAWfr*  '\    li'-,   "  nrtf\ 
liM\"  li"v"r    v''f   ">*"'    willi   (iny   lliinf/    lik"  n  'li!iri''<>.        Hr>- 


ri 


HMlfy,    i(      I     "fill     l<ill     (I    fMI(|il"    'if     li''!ll-!,    W"     -^IimII     II"     Jibl 

III  ji'iv  "Ml  I'i'li'ili!'  ii'f'iiiiit  li!iri'l-0'ri"ly,  •v.'ill'OMt'  Jiny 
•  ililififili'iii  I'l  lli!il   iri"f ''iiMf  y  f"ll'»'V,  S'Tulon," 

"  My  V"i  y  iiii|ii  ii'l'  III  y.tirij/  |)U[iil,"  ^jii'j  Mr.  R/><lri»'y, 
*'  |i«'i mil  III"  l«i  Kii(/^"'jf  tlinl  if  woiil'l  l»^  n  ^»f'"r  p»ri'l  -^irn* 
|i|»'r  |iImii  I'l  |i!iy  y'i:ir  'l"l»N  wifli  y'>ur  pur-;*:',  rn^h'-r  fhart 
willi   viiiii    111''  " 

"My  lir(<  !  wind  rioti-'»'n 'f,  F.V»'lri"y,"  nri-'W"r"'l  h^  ; 
**  ]\\'  \  MM  well  (I  rriMii  mii/|»l,  l»"  in  f"jir  of  lii-^  iifV  fvf'ry 
tiiiM"  II"  iii'iiiiil"»l  ITn  liiiiit"r,  t(""»ii-',^,  <^ruf  Jtwkward 
r«»ll<i\vM  linv"  l»ii»k"fi  lli"ir  ri"f,k^.  'I  li"r'!  )■?  r»o  mor*' 
iliiiijf*  r  ill  II  iiilinji;   lli"  l»"!ir  tlum  in  huntinji;  tho,  hare    rf 

it* 


\iV2 


TIIK    m Ml-IHINTKIIH 


yon   Imvo  .*)  douMo  l):n  rrllotl  ^nn  nixi  o  I'liir  ninoniit   oi 


I 


(ln('k." 

"  vSo  |(M  it  1m\  llnn>l«l,"  h;{'h\  his  (iilor  ;  "your  will  ii 
rv(M'  thnt  o('  llu'  IVItMlos  luxl  Porsiuns.  TIku,  ii\  (jiinlily 
1)1"  inv  ol)i(M\  I  rnuuin  at  votir  ni«lo,  irjulv  t<»  ir\\r  Uriiin 
t]\o  ('<)»//>  lU  </ni<u>  {{'  your  jloiiblo  shot  (ail." 

•'  IM  lilvo  to  s«M'  it  I'iul,  il  I  hnvo  s|»iu'(»  lor  my  aim," 
rc^plird  llatoM;  "hut,  I  say,  Kodtiry,  I  hanily  liko  to 
AvUiX  yow  out.  Yo\i  s«M',  I  shidl  he  inoio  fulj^i'ly  aluMit 
Vour  saTotv  than  nn  own." 

"No  n^allor,  Harold,"  said  ho,  "  dnty  is  in»|MMalivo. 
N*Mv.  how  niaiw  oC  votir  f'ollowors  do  ^  on  nvonosi*  to 
h^\d  fo  death  or  vi»'lory  ?" 

"Who  will  \ohint»MM"  to  \o\\\  in  a  hcar-hnnl  ?"  rriod 
llaiH>ld  fo  tho  rost  ot"  his  j>aily. 


Snr 


tl 


un,  vonr  liotintM 


sau 


1  Tat. 


jovlnllv 


won 


Id- 


u 


't  1  bo  lh<»  boy  \o  bo  iloduini;  him  out  ol'  his  don,  sooinjj 
1  know  his  w;»ys  (Milircly.  tho  orafnr  !  " 

I'at  wa>^  r<>i»^M(Ml.  and  oon\tnitlod  to  tho  oharj;;**  of 
Oonnis  and  th<^  twi>  Wi»nion.  All  tho  rosi,  arn\od  with 
finns  atul  kniv«>s,  drow  i>nl  I'or  lln»  oxpodition,  which  was 
lod  bv  tho  ohiot'  and  six  of  his  warriors,  annod  with 
bows.  sp(\Mrs,  and  t«Mnahawks.  I'al  was  at  first  robol- 
lious,  bnt   ho  was  s»>on  rooonoilod  to  his  disnussal,  and 


lonioi 


i  a  oirolo  of"    l!\dian   bovs,  omm*  whotn   h<»   rulod 


dospotioally,  oniployini;'  thoiu  in  oarryiiig  hin»  abont  o\\ 
thoir  baoks,  and  snbjootinjj  thoni  to  tho  usnal  dojxrad.'i- 


fion? 


of  !il; 


iworv 


Tho  bov  had.  with  nion*  snoooss  than 


«ny  oC  tho  party,  aoqnirod  a  oonsidiM'ablo  mnnbor  of 
Indian  wonis.  and  oiMild  niako  his  lordlv  wishos  known 
without  nuioh  ditUoulty.  IVnnis,  too.  fully  onjoyod  his 
rest,  and  sponl   his  tiino  in  tho  usoloss  ta<k  of  toaohing 


oil-     rm.    IJnCKV     M(M!NI,\INrt. 


I  oa 


h 

«1 

Ml 


iIh  yiiuii<r  HMVit^PM  llir  iiI|iIiiiIm'I,  iniiKiiii^  llif  IcIIci'h  on  ii 
lint  iliii'K  hIoik',  willi  II  cliiilky  HiilisttitM'c,  iHrd  \ty  tlM> 
H]i\M|!;('M  to  |)Miiil  llx'ir  Mkiti.  TIm^  rliililrcn  rti|>iilly  Iriu'iit 
(lit*  iiiiiiK'M  nf  llin  lillcr;,  liiil  tlii>  iuM|iiisitioii  did  not 
pt'oiiiisr  lo  lead  lo  iiny  liif.',lirr  iiiiioiinr  of  Iciiniiii^.  l\n 
WiH  MOW  rii|.Mi|i;r(l  in  (riirirmj.i;  liis  lilllc  (lock  lo  ir|irul 
till'  woi'tls  ol  lli)>  liOi'd'H  I'i'iiycr,  Mild  llioii;^di  iincon' 
HciuiiM  of  llir  wliol)'  iiiciiiiiii;.^,  (lie  cliildrrn  Mrniird  lo  \m 
HWiirn   llif  s(<   uoidM  \vr!<'   of  n   Kolrniii    ndliiif,  and    pro- 


noiinccil 


ll 


inn    \vt 


III    d 


ini    iTviTciirc 


niwiiVH    Hiiovvin 


'} 


jriTMl  rcMprcl  lo  llicir  lionoi'cd  Iciiclirr, 


1 1 


wii^  on  llM'   lii^l  d.iy  ol  .liinmiiy,  on   u  cm'ji 


•I. 


I»ri|^lit 


iiioiniii;^!;,  IIm»ii;j^Ii  llir  nir  wu^  cold,  lli;il,  tin-  liunlrrrt 
(iinird  (lirir  slcjn  lowiiidr^  llir  Snowy  moMiiliiin-*,  wliicli 
lav  lour  or  li\c  indcs  cnsl  ol'  lIu-  lod;j;(',-4.  ( iiji.diiiilly 
tlicy  Mci'iidctl,  llcsl  ovrr  /^rnllc.  hIo|)«'s,  IImmi  |lirou;j;li 
<l(Sii'<o  loiv'^lM  n|>  slony  iisccnls,  Homc.linicM  <'liinl»in;^  (jvrr 
tlic  \)'.\rr  idckM  wliicli  jullcd  lorvviird,  or  rose  in  nlriiost 
j»M'|M>ndi('nlMr  wmIIm  mIoii^  IIm'  iinpcrtrc^lly  Iroddfii  piilli 
on  vvliicli  llic  ImliiiiiM  led  llicm,  iind  wliicli  llicy  iis-tcrird 
ird  l«>  lli<>  liMiinIs  ol'  llir.  bear  ;  lait  luili'  iIk^  day  passed 
and  llify  Imd  yet  Hcrn  no  tracc-.H  of  tJu!  animal. 

At  !('iiu,lli  llicy  rcacdicd  a  Hort  ol^jltMi,  Hiirronndcd  by 
rot'ky  walls  and  dsirk  ovcrlian^^infj;  woods,  Klill  fcallicrctl 
vvilli  snow.  Ilcn^  thi^  cliicr  wav«'(l  lo  llirm  lo  hall,  and 
be  sllcnl,  poinlin^  out  to  tlicrnon  each  8i(l<;  low  op(;nin;^H 
Icudin;;  lo  the  cav(!S  in  the  nx'ks  which  the,  anitnals  f'n;- 
(pienliMl.  Th(^  dilliciilly  was,  which  den  to  assail,  for 
while  ihey  utteinphid  on  one  si<le,  they  mifjjht  be  at- 
tacked in  tli<!  rear. 

They  finally  divi(l(Ml  into  three  parties,  anl  lighting 
lu'Hps  of  drie(l  bdshes,  throw  tlietn   into  scvMual  of  the 


HI 
ieii! 


From  two  o!  these  retreats  irnjwls  were  heard, 


\0[ 


nil    lu  \u  ni'N  .1  UH 


\'» 


Ml 


(IMtl  tnoic  lnHli('<  >\  (MO  ihi'H  (linnvn  in  lill  llic  Miimh  ^^  l»o« 
OMini'  tm  ioii^  ;    on  ihi^.  tl:\  ;|\\n'r   ll\ri)U",l\  lln>  niiil  ■{  ol'  llid 


MirM\n>; 


l>n.l 


ic^  MM  \miu<M\-<'   Imowii    Itrnr    jiioliHiIrd    il« 


lu'Mil  1r«»m  iho  opcuinir.  iiriniUMir  miuI  ronnnir  lii-rct'lN. 
Two  or  ihrct'  shoN  woro  m(  o\u'o  IcvclltMl  Ml  llw  Ih'miI, 
!\n<l  took  rlloi'l  so  Imc  mm  (o  inI'miMlo  iho  IhmiI.  wliit'li 
ni'^hoil  \nlo  ilic  twulsl  ol'  il'4  loos,  jiiul  iIiih  siinoiindctl 
Im     (ho   wholo    loroo.  wms    hoom    (Io^pmIoIkmI    wilh    Univof 


.i)\u 


M\<^ 


lhoM;»h  no(    Itolor*'  (wool'lho  linliMU^    liMtl  ro- 


M'ivod  sotrio  (loop  woiindi  in  (li('i«"  tiMkod  lnul>s. 


As   il 


\o\ 


-(0(m1 


round,  lookin'r   (riump 


llMUll 


V  on    ihoir 


o»>n(|n(  I'l'd  io(>.  ;»  «mv  \vm^  lioMrd.  Mud  llMrold  loll  n|>on 
th(>  \\i':\\\  1*<  Mr  j^vMspod  in  \\\o  (l(\\dly  pM\v-»  (-1  m  li\  in;j!; 
:uun\Ml  nhii'h  liMd  spnnij^  npoii  his  hMoK,  Mnd  which, 
wilh  his  li«M\  o\(*s  Mud  onM^hin^',  t  i-th.  lor  m  inonioni  in- 
liu.idMlod  mU  (ho  n\on  s(>  mnoh  (liMl  (h(\\  (hnsl  nol  diMW 
tioMT.  Mnd  \o{  did    woi    ihwo   to  lico.  l(vs(    (h(>v  shoidd   d(>- 


slinn    !h(>    (nd'(MlnnM(o    I'rol^on.  who   (Miod   on(, 


1- 


in> 


I 


h 


V'S0(\M»    \  (HI.    IHN      llXXnl 


ICKMU 


ov    ho  will   (Miish   Mjo    (o 


doM(h.      1V>  \onr  host  n(>(  \o  hit    ti\o.  hnt  liro."' 

,l(>lui  snM(oh(>d  M  toniMliMwlv  iVoni  on(»  ol'  tho  loniliod 
Indians,  miuI  nitui^l  a  hlow  Mt  ll\o  head  ol'  I  ho  hoar, 
whi('h  (>i\ly  oaus(^l  hin\  l(>  luii;  his  viotini  olosor,  lill  tho, 
orios  ol  ihoir  j;\>od  rri(M»d  stiumlalod  Wdl  and  DioU  lo 
vonturo  uc:\v  onouuh  to  j>lnnm>  thoir  knivos  inlv»  (ho 
sido  o(  \ho  Mirnnal. 

With  howls  thai  nmir  ihninLijh  thi*  monntains,  tho 
boar  now  abandoiu^l  his  sonsoloss  \iotini,  who  was  in- 
stantly  di'awn   awav    hv  his    iViond    Uothu'v,  and  care- 

•  •  •  * 

tally  attondod,  whilo  tho  madlonod  l)(>ast  .hai-god 
amoniT  tho  Indians,  ovorthrowitiL!:  and  pnllin;]:  them 
to  llight.  l>u(  tluvo  or  lour  vshots  linally  oiuloil  iiis  va- 
iver 


or     IIIK    KOCKT     MMUNIAINH. 


im 


(MI  A  rr  KM  X. 


I 

(o 
tlio 

UMU 
Ott- 


W<trH»'  liuiM  (lio  Mpiiib,  a  Skliiiii'jli  willi  llic  Indiniis.  -  Shnr(il''f 
nWHiii  -  A  pdiMl'irl  Mi'oliii^  -  I'lin  Wliito  (!liifC  A  t;f'ii<'f»«l 
MfiVf'iiiniit.  A  IHpliiltiilion  <•(' <fillH.  riif  S<>|iftr(ili'iii.  (ilo'iniy 
I'riiHppt'lR. 

'rilK  IniliiitiM  lifiii  Kproid  I'mimmI  Io  rxMniiri«-  the  oIImt 
CMVOH,  wlirii  \i  mIiuI  (lilTcIrd  ('i(.|i!  M  lli^li  <'liir  ^Inirk  OUC 
«tl  (lit'in  <l<'!i(|  ;  IIiIm  wm'^  (ollowrd  l»y  n  ^lutwrr  «»!' )i(rf»w«, 
Inil  rurlniiiili'ly  iIm>  ^liii  »»!  llir  cnvc-!  wii^  «o  narrow  llial 
llirv  jiiis^cd  uv(»r  IIh'  Ih'miU  (»r  llin  ns-^nilfd  liiintriH  luiitri- 
IrMsly.  Kill,  I  Iniiiiitrliii  rvidcnily  icco^Mi/rd  li'm  lins, 
Mild    liiitiiii;!    lo    Ihirold,    who    liiid    rrcovMcd    from    lii-^ 


HWOOII,    Itlll     W)|,M 


>liil 


wciik    MiKl    liiiirM    lM'iils(! 


d,   I 


10    HUM 


|M>iiiliii<r  lo  llir  cliU'idiovc, 


it 


It.'id   Indian  ;   kill  all,  take.  hII  scalp." 

I   Hlioiild   lik<i   lo  H«'("   llwm   Iry,"  Kaid    Harold,  novv 


(nllj 


roiiscil 


"  h 


orin,  in 


y 


novs 


(M\'«' 


III*;  I 


jcaiH  alori« 


now,  and  Irl  iim  make,  a  nally.  Wf;  mnsl  nevr  I'main 
lirrc  lo  hr  sliol  down  like  rat^^  l»y  llioHe,  aMMasHirm.  Lead 
iiM  on,  llamalclia.      How  Hliall  we  nie,e,t  llieiri  ?  " 

The  (diief,  lookinjj^  ni  Ihm  own  Hrnall  |>arty,  seerrMd  al 
(irsi  iiKdined  lo  reheat  ;  hiil  Ihe,  spirit  of"  hin  aliie-^,  and 
the  oonlidenee  he,  placcMi  in  ihe  powe,r  ai'  their  j/niis, 
}iM\<i  him  eoiira,L!;e,  and  he  le.d  tju!  way,  nseeiidin;.' 
lhroii;j;h  Ihe  forest,  lo  the.  heights  wlusre,  tli(!  asHailanfi 
Flood  ;  while  ihey,  observing  the  retreat  of  the,  hunters, 
ami  thinking  they  had  taken  lo  fli;^ht,  with  UTrific  yoMa 
rushi'd  downward  lo  arrest  them. 


'^ 


' 


,1     ,  i 


ill 


i  ii 


H  r 


■  n  ■ 


106 


THE    BKAR-IILNTICRS 


"  Let  US  rective  them  here,"  f^aid  Harold,  aa  they 
reached  a  broad  shelf  of  rock  where  the  bushes  and 
trees  were  thick  on  both  sides,  affording  cover.  Three 
men  were  placed  behind  this  cover  on  each  side,  and 
with  the  rest  he  remained  to  confront  the  enemy,  who 
could  only  descend  singly  through  the  entangled  brake. 
The  first  two  Indians  who  stepped  on  the  shelf  were 
shot  down  by  tlic  men  in  ambush  ;  and  at  this  sight  the 
rest  tumultuously  rushed  ibrward,  breaking  down  the 
bushes,  yelling  frightfully,  and  discharging  their  arrows 
with  some  effect,  wounding  two  of  Harold's  little  party, 
though  not  severely,  he  trusted.  A  volley  of  shots 
brought  dovvn  two  more  of  the  assailants,  who,  being 
now  crowded  together,  though  partly  hidden  by  the 
trees,  Harold  saw  did  not  consist  of  more  than  twenty 
men,  all  naked,  painted,  wild-looking  savages,  armed 
with  spears,  bows,  and  quivers  of  arrows,^  two  alone  car- 
rying guns ;  and  as  but  one  shot  had  been  fired,  Harold 
concluded  that  they  were  scarce  of  ammunition,  and 
had  no  doubt  of  driving  them  off,  though  probably  not 
without  loss. 

He  next  gave  the  word  to  the  men  in  ambush,  and 
the  sound  of  unexpected  shots  from  the  sides  did  great 
execution,  as  he  judged  from  the  groans  ;  and,  to  his 
great  astonishment,  oaths  and  imprecations  in  English, 
which  were  plainly  heard,  as  the  combatants  were  not 
twenty  yards  apart.  Scruton  immediately  recognized 
the  voice,  and  cried  out,  "I3  that  you,  Sharj)ley,  you 
cowardly  traitor  and  thief?  Where  are  my  goods, 
?  "     He  would  actually  have  rushed  forward  to 


rogue 


seize  the  man,  had  not  Mr.  Rodney  held  him  back  from 
certain  destruction. 

The  chief,  distinguished  by  his  feathered  head-dresi* 


;r* 


OP    Tilio    ROCKY    MOUMAIXS 


107 


3B, 


now  directed  his  men  to  charge  with  their  s})ear.s  into 
the  thickets  wliich  co\ered  tlie  men  wiio  had  iired  on 
them,  and  though  they  were  opposed  by  more  shots,  the 
chiei' himself  succeeded  in  dragging  out  a  captive,  wliom 
the  rest  saw,  with  distress,  was  William. 

**  We  must  rescue  tlie  hid,"  said  Harold ;  '*  come  on, 
my  brave  fellows."  And  the  front  rank  marched  for- 
ward, with  rifles  presented,  towards  the  savages,  who 
did  not  dare  to  raise  an  opposing  weapon  against  the 
formi(lal)le  array.  "  Cause  the  boy  to  be  released, 
Sharpley,"  said  Harold,  "  or  we  will  shoot  every  man 
of  you." 

But  just  at  this  moment  a  cry  escaped  from  the  pris- 
oner, and  they  heard  him  exclaim,  in  a  tone  of  deep 
distress,  "  Oh  !  father,  is  it  here  I  find  you  ?  " 

The  chief,  who  held  the  boy,  started  and  flung  him 
from  him  as  he  replied,  "  William !  well,  I'm  glad  it*s 
thee,  my  lad."  Mr.  Rodney,  who  saw  well  that  the 
rescue  of  the  youth  would  now  be  more  difficult  than 
ever,  stepped  forward  to  diaw  him  into  the  midst  of  his 
friends,  on  which  the  worthless  father  said  furiously, 
"  Who  are  you  ?  What  right  have  you  to  part  father 
and  son  ?  He's  mine,  and  I'll  make  a  man  of  hmi. 
Come  along.  Will,  and  have  no  more  to  do  with  that 
sneaking  crew ;  you'll  have  a  glorious  life  with  me,  rul- 
ing over  these  fools." 

Trembling  and  weeping,  William  answered, 

"  Leave  these  heathen  savages,  father,  and  come  to 
us.  Mr.  Rodney  and  Mr.  Crofton,  who  have  been  such 
kind  friends  to  me,  will  forgive  you  all  you  have  done, 
if  you  turn  from  your  bad  ways,  and  remember  you  are 
a  Christian,  and  have  to  answer  to  God  for  all  this." 

♦*  Not  I,"  said  the  reckless  man  ;  "  I  always  liked  rul* 


11  ! 


V 


i: 


)  ■  I 


n 


•■  i 


I,  ' 


\lM^ 


lOH 


TiiK  iti'.AiMirM  i.un 


in|»  l«MI(M'  limn  scrvii)}:,  mimI  I'm  no!  like  lo  1m»  lir«Ml  »)f  a 
i'yvo  rovii.^  lil'o  \vi  ii  hit  ;  so  froop  nlonjj;  with  \\u\  my 
Im«I  ;  let  ihiMU  «lr(Miii    vnii  Ml    llirir   peril;    Tv*'  li  i  i};lil  tc 


you 


»\v  IS  on  nn  suto 


Iho  1 

"  How  ilMi't*  vou.  nnl'ofliniMli'  and  .'iliandnnod  iumh," 
H!»i<l  Mr.  l\o»ln(»y.  "  appeal  lo  lli(<  laws  yon  have  (lirowu 
otV?  In  an  Mn^lisli  «'(>nrl,  I  will  rosinii  i1m<  j);nai<liaM- 
uliip    ol    your    son    lo    a     re  pn-laltle     Isnjilisjnnan,   hut 


nolinn^  shall  eontpel   n>e  now    lo    \  leld  up 


lh«<  1 


lOV,  HOU 


and  hody,  io  an  onllaw,  a  rohher,  a  companion  of  scalp- 
linntini:  savai;(<s  in  a  wild  American  t'oresl.      William, 


lual 


\\o  \our  own  (h^'ision 


I 


ean  IrnsI  von, 


"  Y«ni  may  IrnsI  m(\  Mr.  Kodney,"  answered  llu^ 
hoy.  "1  will  n«"\  er  »'ons«'nl  l»»  liv<'  with  nien  who  art^ 
ijjnorani  ol"  (Jod.  And  ouco  more.  1  pray  yon.  «lear 
I'alluM,  lor  my  «lead  n»ollivM-*s  sal\(\  Tor  lh(>  sake  ol'  your 
t>wn  eomrori  on  earlh.  auvl  your  In  ni'e  salvalion,  lo  ahan- 
don  ihis  wiek<Hl  lil'e,  and  relurn  lo  your  peopl(>  and  your 
Ciod." 

ArnolilVe  nuilUMcd  some  hill<M'  words,  and  ur;i,<'d  Ills 
toiK>wtn's  to  r(>snme  the  attack;  hut  the  survivors  werd 
intimidaU^l  hy  their  loss  and  tlu'  sii:;ht  of  the  gnus 
pointed  aixainst   them,  and   Sharplev,  who   was  leanin;j; 


ftirainst  a  tree,  groanm 


U  and 


cursiuii,  with  his  rii: 


hi 


arm 


haniiiuii-  useless  from  a  wound,  ni>w  called  out  to  Arn- 
oliOV  to  como  away  while  he  could,  and  leavo  the  das- 
tardly crew;  but  the  disapjiointed  man  lini2:(M-ed  to  say, 
as  ho  spurned  the  body  ol'  one  ol'  the  Indians  who  had 
opposed  him. 

"What  hope  of  protection  can  you  have  from  such 
cowards  as  tliese?  and  I  tell  you  plainly,  I  will  have 
my  lad.  My  tribe  are  more  numerous  and  powerful 
Ihaii  these  poortishers;  1  will  bring  them  down  on  you, 


0|.'    nil,    llorKV     MHUNIAINH. 


ion 


la 


1 

id 


111 
111 


nn<l  not  only  riiii y  oil  my  mom,  l)iit  tli'-  powdrr  titul  shut 
yon  liiivr  <lni;!;;j:«Ml  nil  llii-i  wiiy.  Ii'h  not  in  my  wny, 
ImiI  my  I'ollowrrn  will  cliiim  nil  your  HcnIpM  ;  ho  you 
know  wliiif  yon  luivr  lo  rxpccl." 

Tlic  iM'xl  minntr  ln'  I«m1  oI!'  Iii-^  mm  up  t.lic  wood,  Irnv- 
'\\\)i,  tlir  IninlriM  to  lament  tliiit.  tliry  Inid  ryrr  pinnnrd 
tlir  rxpcdilion,  whicli  liiid  trrminiilcij  ho  nnrortntiiilily. 
'I'Ik'  sccih'  of  IIm'  ('onlrst  wmm  mrlinirlioly  ;  V\  illinm, 
Kol»liin<r  with  Hliiimr  mik!  sorrow,  Klo(»d  nloof,  whihi  Mr. 
Itodncy,  with  kindncHsi  um.  linnnrss,  cndcMNoicd  to  roii- 


M(» 


!(<   I 


mil 


tl 


i(>   rest,  in   the   mnin  iiiuv,  writ;  cxamirNii)! 


the  woiindrd  nnd  dead. 

Four  of  tii(>  ciirmy  lay  tpiile  dead,  the  vvonndrd  had 
h(M>ii  carried  oHl,  and  llaniateliu  made  a  si;!;n  to  Orol'lon 
(hat  iiis  p<'oph'  desired  to  raiiy  oil  the,  scalps  of  tlx; 
slain  ;  hut  the  stern  and  determined  refusal  he  nllered 
was  perreclly  compn'liende<l  hy  the  Indians,  who  turned 
uw  My  ohe(|i«  iilly,  (hon'j;h  reluctantly.  OI"  their  own 
parly,  only  one,  man  was  actually'  dead,  hut  two  more  of 
the  Indians  were,  severcdy  wounded.  The,  distress  of 
(heir  companions  seeme<l  very  deep  ;  hut  the.  chiof  ex- 
plained thai  (hey  mns(,  not,  delay  their  return,  lost  their 
vindictive  oppom-nts  Hliould  take  the  o|;j)or(unity  of 
utiackiiin;  the  weak  ^^^arrison  iit,  (he  lod^(!s. 

The  procession  moved  slowly  down  (Ik^  mountfdns  ; 
(he  hunters  carried  the  h(;ars,  and  (he  Jndians  took  off 
their  own  dead  and  wouiKh'd,  hut  left  (h(!  hodies  o^'  thtiir 
foes  exposed  (o  (li(^  wihl  heasis,  though  Harold  did  suj^- 
pest  tiiat  (hey  should  decently  hury  (hem  ;  hut  (he  chief, 
somewhat  impatiently,  reminded  him  of  the  danger  to 
(heir  women  and  children. 

"  Bad  Indian,  come  hack  ;  many !  many  !  **  said  he, 
iprcading  his  arms  out  to  ex[)ress  the  miilLitude.    "  KilJ 

10 


.:  '-f^ 


m 


110 


THK    BKAH-MUNTI  R?) 


I  I 

I  \ 


all,  ire  all  lodgi*,  take  all  scalp;  wliit4>  men,  TiiiHun,  uD 
50,  (juick." 

Rodney  endeavored  to  make  out  how  far  from  them 
the  lodf^e.s  of  their  dangerous  opponents  lay,  and  how 
long  it  might  be  before  they  could  return  in  force  ;  but 
it  was  ditUcult  to  extract  from  the  chief  any  idea  of 
time  or  distance.  lie  pointed  to  the  south,  and  waving 
ills  hand,  said,  "Many,  far;"  then  to  the  sun,  and  by 
his  holding  up  three  fingers,  Mr.  Rodney  concluded  he 
meant  that  it  might  be  three  days  before  the  enemy 
could  return  in  great  force  ;  but  all  this  was  uncertain, 
for  Dick  declared  these  wt  re  the  same  Indians  he  had 
seen  far  to  the  north-west.  It  was  probable,  therefore, 
that  tluy  belonged  to  a  wan«lering  tribe,  and  were  con- 
tinually roaming  about  in  search  of  spoil.  Harold 
feared  that  they  might  be  nearer  than  Ilamateha  calcu- 
lated, and  suggested  that  they  should  at  otjce  ascertain 
what  direction  they  must  take  to  avoid  the  savages,  since 
it  was  scarcely  to  be  hoped  that  they  should  compier,  if 
opi)Osed  by  the  whole  tribe. 

"  Assuredly  not,  Harold,"  said  Mr.  Rodn(!y.  "  The 
better  part  of  valor  is  discretion.  We  must  run  away. 
But  whither,  is  an  important  question  ;  all  we  can  do  is 
to  endeavor  to  obtain,  by  the  usual  painful  and  laborious 
process,  some  information  on  the  subject  from  the  chief, 
our  very  ignorant  friend  in  need." 

"  We  must  endeavor,  Rodney,  at  all  events,  to  save 
this  poor,  distressed  boy  from  the  hands  of  his  unnatural 
parent,"  said  Harold. 

William,  who  was  walking  by  their  side,  covered  his 
face  at  this  allusion  ;  his  prid^  and  his  sensibility  weru 
alike  wounded  at  his  position,  and  he  shrunk  from  dis* 
cussing  the  subject  with  his  friends. 


or    riii:  ij(m  kv  m<»i;n  iains. 


Ill 


Ive 

lis 
h9« 


"  Cl»(!(3r  up,  my  lioy,"  sa"ul  Harold,  "  yuii  are  not  the 
first  who  lias  had  to  mourn  ovt-r  tho  dt.'liiupK'iicy  of  a 
parent.  You  have  done  your  duty  in  trying  to  nclaiin 
him,  it  is  now  your  du>.y  to  leave  him." 

"  You  want  humility,  William,"  said  Mr.  Kodiu-y, 
"  God  has  pleased  to  send  this  triwl  to  you,  and  you 
rebel  a^'ainst  His  will,  and  refuse  to  bow  m<'»kly  to 
your  inlliv'rtion.  Your  father  seems  to  be  a  man  of 
anderstanding,  though  evil  passions  have  perverted  it* 
Let  us  hope  and  pray  that  God  may,  in  His  own  good 
time,  visit  and  reeall  him  to  His  fold.  Even  the  sight 
of  his  child  shunning  his  society  may  lead  him  to 
reflection  and  repentance.  You  must  bear  your  cross 
patiently,  William,  or  you  are  unworthy  of  the  name  of 
Christian." 

The  boy  thanked  his  friends,  and  made  strong  ef- 
forts to  overcome  his  morbid  feelings,  and  to  talk  as 
usual  with  Mike  and  Dick,  who  kindly  tried  to  console 
him. 

They  were  now  within  sight  of  the  lodges,  and  the 
uneasiness  of  the  chief  subsided,  as  he  saw  all  remained 
undisturbed,  and  heard  the  merry  voices  of  the  children. 
Nor  was  it  long  be  .re  a  ti'oop,  headed  by  Pat,  ran  foi- 
ward  to  meet  them,  the  boy  crying  out,  as  he  saw  the 
bears,  "  And  was  they  biting  hard,  Mike  ?  Musha ! 
sure  they're  grand  bastes  ! "  Then  seeing  the  body  of 
the  poor  Indian,  he  added,  "  Worra  1  worra !  was  the 
baste  killing  the  poor  red  man  ?  —  what  for  were  ye  not 
teUing  me  go  to  be  watching  the  dens  ?     Ochone  1  " 

The  sight  of  the  dead  and  wounded  produced  great 
wailing  and  lamentation  among  the  women  ;  but  there 
was  some  consolation  in  the  promise  of  unusual  feasting 
which  the  sight  of  the  beai's  afforded.    They  were  soon 


ii 


III 


If 


112 


Tin:    III  AIMUMI  Uft 


Hkinn<><|,  iiiul  stritUs  hroilrd  lor  llic  liiiiilcr.-,  mikI  it  whj 
not  till  tlu'V  li;i*I  ratni  niid  rcstrd,  tlial  llic  Milv('n(iiri'>(i 
of  t)i<'  (lay  ciiiiu'  out.  ami  the  two  Ii  isli-uoiiicii  learnt 
Iiow  William  had  met  his  tiiilicr.  IMaiy  u*Mt  silently, 
lait  IN'^^y's  iMdi;j;nali«>n  was  loinmciiais  ;  she  HisislJ-il  on 
it  that  the  p.miatiiral  lather  had  no  riuhl  to  William, 
who  was  be4im>atlu>d  to  her  by  Ids  mother,  mid  she 
ihtied  the  villain  to  try  and  wrest  \\vv  own  from  her. 

N('verth(d«'ss,  when  sh<'  Ix-i-anu'  f'ullv  aware  of  the 
threalcmMJ  invasion,  sho  was  moie  iiulined  to  av«»i(l 
than  to  dely  tlu'  nM|)i'inei|ded  man,  and  would  gladly 
have  set  ont  innnediately.  Hut,  after  nuich  lime  wasted 
in  the  tlitVn'idl  attcMnpt  to  nndersland  the  plans  of  Ilam- 
ateha,  in  whieh  Tal's  ready  ae(|nisilion  of  words 
pn)ved  nsefnl,  it  was  at  len_i;th  made  ont  that  the  wliolo 
party,  reil  men  and  while  men,  mnst  set  ont  l»y  moon- 
light this  very  nij^ht.  'They  nnist  procei'd  alon;j:  the 
haso  (►!'  the  snowy  monntains,  iu)rlh,  till  the  Indians 
sluujld  join  sonu>  j)owerfnl  friends;  then  the  travellers 
mnst  cross  the  monntains  to  those  valleys  beyond, 
whieh  the  vindietive  tribe  dared  not  enter,  for  the 
Indians  wlio  freqnented  those  valleys  were  their 
enemies. 

"  And  doubtless  will  prove  our  enemies,  too,"  said 
Mr.  Rocbiey,  "  if  we  ever  succeed  in  scrambling  up  to 
the  clouds,  and  then  descending  safely  again  t'>  earth. 
Surely  some  of  these  tribes  are  equestrian.  There, 
William,  take  this  paper  and  sketch  a  horse  upon  it, 
that  we  may  inquire  of  the  people  if  suvb  a  strange 
animal  be  known  among  them." 

The  experiment  succeeded,  the  performance  of  Wil- 
liam was  regarded  with  wonder  and  admiration,  and 
'he   travellers  were   informed   that   beyond    the  moun- 


OK    TIIK    KOTKT    MnPNTArNS. 


IM 


fnins  tlicro  woro  '*  mnuy,  tnany  "  of  ihc  aniiiwils  ,  nw 
HHsiinincc  lliat  soiiicwiiat  reconciled  llir  «l(jrc|('(l  wan- 
iNtci's  Io  tlicir  lorinidalih^  task  of  crossin;;  tlut  snowy 

TIm'  Tiidian  who  liad  Ixmmi  slain  was  huricd,  witii  tho 
n>iial  ln'alln'n  formalities,  lii.s  liow  ami  speurH  liriii;^ 
|)la('(Ml  al  his  side,  al'lrr  which,  at  ini<hii;jjlil,  Ihcy  srt  out, 
a  loan  and  sl()wly-dra;j:fj;iM{j;  train.  TIkj  wounded  uwu 
wiM'o  boi'nc  on  hastilyronstruclcd  liners,  tlu;  hahes  on 
the  hacks  of  tlm  UDthers  ;  houseludd  ^oods  they  had 
none,  except  some  woven  rnshhaskets,  nets,  spears,  ancj 
hows,  which  were  easily  carried  away  ;  and  the  Indians 
who  were  not  laden  assisted  their  visitors  in  carryin*; 
their  heavy  ha^i^a;;*',  inchidinpf  tlu;  skins  and  the  (le>!i 
ol'  the  l)ears.      For  eijiht  weary  he'irs   they  inarched  « 


on 


over  pleasant  plains,  at  this  season  easily  crossinti;  the 
rivnh^ls  which  flowed  from  th(^  moinifains ;  then  they 
paused  on  the  hanks  of  a  deep  river,  and  th*^  Europe- 
ans looked  with  dismay  at  the  obstacle. 

"Sure,  woti't  we  he  swiinmin'  across,"  said  INIike, 
*'  harrin*  my  mother,  she  niver  swimmin'  Ji  sthrok(^, 
and  Mary  herself  heing  a  poor  hand.  Would  we  Ix 
niakin'  a  boat,  Dick?" 

"What's  the  lad  talkiuLij  about?"  answered  Dick. 
'*Tirmk  ye  a  man  can  build  a  boat  out  of  reeds  and 
slate  stones?  Just  you,  Mr.  Crofton,  put  it  to  them 
queer-tonii;ued  chaps  how  it  is  they  think  of  getting 
over  this  water?" 

The  ehief  signified  that  the  whole  party  must  halt 
tin  he  despatched  some  of  his  followers  down  the 
banks  of  the  riv(!r,  and  all  were  glad  to  eat  and  sleep 
till  the  messengers  returned,  accompanied  by  a  number 
of  strange  Indians,  who  carried  a  long  light  canoe,  a 

10* 


114 


THK    llKAR-IirNTKKB 


i; 


US'' 


plad  sifi^ht,  which  promised  to  smooth  the  diiTiiMilty. 
Two  of  the  atriuigcrs  hmuchod  the  canoe,  which  woiiM 
contain  no  more  than  eijz;ht  at  once;  and  on  llaroM 
callin;j^  IFamalitha  to  he  one  of  the  first  party,  the  cliirt' 
drew  hack,  and  vsaid,  in  a  niehmcholy  tone,  "  While. 
man  go  away,"  pointing  across  the  water;  "  llamalcha 
go  I'riends,"  showing  the  stranger  Indians  who  furnislnd 
the  canoe,  and  with  whom  they  understood  their  friendly 
hosts  were  now  ahout  to  tai<e  refuge. 

This  announcement  caused  equal  sorrow  and  ahirm  ; 
they  regretted  the  separation  from  the  simph;  fuid 
fri(Midly  people,  and  they  dreaded  the  perils  that  lay 
before  them  in  an  unknown  country.  Crofton  in- 
quired if  any  man  of  either  trihe  could  he  t(>m|)t<'d  to 
accompany  and  guide  them  ;  l)ut  all  steadfastly  r('fus<>(l 
to  leave  their  own  friends,  knowing  that  their  safety 
from  the  lierce  trihes  d('j)ended  entirely  on  tlujir  union. 

Crofton  then  o[)ened  his  portmanteau,  that  hefbre 
their  separation  he  might  make  soine  parting  gifts  to 
the  people  whose  hospitality  to  strangers  iiad  been  the 
cause  of  banishment  from  thei/  homes.  A  jirav-colorcd 
Indian  chintz  ih'essing-gown,  presented  to  llamatcha, 
excited  unbounded  admiration  and  gratitude.  lie 
then  distributed  some  silk  handkerchiefs  among  the 
wouKMi,  much  to  tiie  vexation  and  disgust  of  CaptJiin 
Scruton,  who  declared  that  cotton  handkercliiefs  would 
have  pleased  them  as  well,  and  these  wen!  of  costly 
Induui  silk.  But  Harold  only  laughed  at  this  useless 
economy,  and  ransacked  his  possessions  to  tind  trifles 
to  bestow  on  all  his  friends.  lM!si<les  these,  two 
knives  and  a  frying-pan,  which  IkkI  excited  gri'al  ad- 
miration, were  given  to  them,  and  were  highly  prized. 
The  skins  of  the  bearF,  and  part  of  the  flesh,  were  left 


'iV 


OK    Tin:    KOCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


115 


Id- 
1(1. 


'ft 


w?th  thr  boatmen  who  wcit  to  i*o\v  tlicm  across ;  and 
thus  the  bafr;i;a^c  of  tlio  travelU-irs  was  coiisidcmhly 
Ught''n(!(l.  The  Irishwomen  even  found  some  jjins  and 
nredies  to  U'ave  with  the  Indian  women,  to  whom  tliey 
had  ahea(iy  tau^^ht  tlic  nse  of  thc^se  implem(!nts ;  and 
they  receive  d  in  return  as  many  of  the  light  rnsh  mat'"-* 
as  they  could  carry,  to  serve  for  mattresses. 

Then  tlie  affecting  separation  took  place.  The  F^u- 
fopean  women  and  boys  wej)t  ;  the  more  resolute  In- 
dians ccmcealed  their  emotions,  cxc(!pt  that  tlwMr  falter- 
ing words  denot(Hl  tiie  sorrow  they  felt  in  parting  from 
such  generous  and  powerful  friends.  The  ti'av('ilers, 
in  two  divisions  were  transported  across  the  river ; 
Hamatcha  accompanying  the  last,  to  j)oiiit  out  the 
direction  to  the  moui\tain  pass,  the  exact  situation  of 
which  they  in  vain  att(3mpt«3d  to  compr(diend,  except 
that  they  must  walk  along  tlie  base  for  ttvo  suns ;  and 
then,  by  raising  and  depressing  his  arm,  lie  showed 
them  they  must  often  ascend  and  descend,  and  they 
concluded  the  lofty  range  was  intersected  by  valleys. 
Then  he  left  them,  and  slowly  and  sadly  they  marched 
forward  over  well-watered  risujg  ground,  a  heavy 
gloom  resting  on  all ;  for  they  felt  as  if  th(3y  were 
wandering  further  from  civilization  and  security. 

"I  cannot  help  thinking,"  said  J\Ir.  Rodney,  "that 
our  kind  but  ignorant  friend  Hamatcha  iuis  counselled 
us  erroneously.  I  am  of  opinion  that,  by  j)ersevcring 
in  our  [)rogres3  to  the  south,  we  must  in  the  end  have 
Btruck  on  the  golden-sanded  river  Sacramento,  which 
would  have  conducted  us  to  St.  Francisco  and  to  Euro- 
^)eans." 

"  If  we'd  ever  reached  the  place,"  said  Scruton. 
^  But  the  mountains  in  California  swarm  with   robber^ 


>■■     !'!) 


116 


THK    HKAK-HL'NTKKS 


:W 


and  munl(jrcrs,  Indians  and  diggers,  ready  to  pounce 
on  any  traveller,  and  rifie  him  of  his  gold;  or,  if  dis- 
appointed of  plunder,  they  make  no  scruple  of  murder- 
ing him.  There's  no  safe  way  to  St.  Francisco  but  by 
sea,  or  with  an  armed  guard.  What  would  you  say  to 
making  to  our  old  landing-place,  to  pick  up  what  those 
rogues  have  left ;  and  then  perhaps  we  might  rig  up  a 
boat  or  a  raft,  and  coast  to  St.  Francisco." 

"  Pardon  me,  Captain  Scruton,"  answered  ]\Ir.  Rod- 
ney, "  if  I  look  on  your  i)roposal  as  little  short  of  madness. 
We  were  driven  from  the  coast  by  famine  and  savage 
foes  ;  through  many  dangers  we  have  progressed  thus 
far  inland,  why  should  we  fling  ourselves  on  destruction  ? 
On  either  hand  we  must  inevitably  have  to  cross  a 
range  of  mountains ;  then  by  all  means  let  us  proceed 
east.  There  are  trading  stations  of  Europeans  beyond 
these  mountains,  even  before  we  reach  the  last  and  most 
formidable  chain,  the  Rocky  Mountains." 

The  bear's  flesh  afforded  them  abundant  food,  and 
the  mountain  streams  fresh  water  ;  and  they  went  on 
for  the  "  two  suns,"  without  any  greater  ditliculty  than 
crossing  the  various  streams.  Then  Scruton  pointed 
out  that,  at  no  great  distance,  the  snowy  crests  of  the 
mountains  seemed  to  be  divided  into  two  peaks,  and 
he  suggested  that  if  any  pass  was  practicable,  it  mijiht 
be  at  this  spot ;  and,  though  the  pine  forests  on  the 
lower  ridges  presented  the  usual  impediments,  they 
deteriiined  next  morning  to  make  the  attempt. 


OF    THK    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


in 


CHAPTER    XI. 

The  Ascent  of  the  Snowy  Mountains.  —  A  deserted  Hut.  —  The  Elk.  — 
The  negligent  Sentinels.  —  The  Fi-iglitful  Pa.ss.  —  The  Despair  of 
Dennis.  —  IJrighter  Hopes.  —  America  in  eontenipt. 

Binding  their  burdens  firmly  on  their  shoulders, 
and  preceded  by  Dick  and  John  as  pioneers,  the  trav- 
ellers once  more  commenced  an  ascent  so  fbrn)idjible 
as  to  seem  almost  impossible.  The  women  bore  their 
exertion  bravely ;  Pat  tripped  over  the  underwood  or 
crawled  beneath  the  matted  branches  gleefully  ;  IMr. 
Rodney  alone  sighed  over  the  toil.  xVccustoined  to  a 
life  of  bodily  ease  and  quiet  study,  the  change  was 
violent  to  this  state  of  excessive  labor,  which  allowed 
no  interval  for  mental  enjoyments.  He  looked  wistfully 
on  his  beloved  pupil,  who  was  iobust,  excited,  full  of 
enjoyment  of  his  new  condition  of  adversity,  watching 
for  adventure,  almost  courting  peril,  and  then  thou;2;ht, 
"  For  his  sake,  I  must  bear  this  strange  life  uncomplain- 
ingly. Happy  days  of  youth,  when  labor  is  pleasure, 
and  privation  merely  amusement !  I  must  not  suffer 
myself  to  grow  old  yet  awhile." 

For  the  first  day  the  weather,  though  cold,  was 
bright  and  clear,  and  they  bivouacked  beneath  the 
pines  among  the  straggling  bushes  at  night  with  tolera- 
ble comfort,  under  their  warm  cloaks  and  coverings. 
The  second  day  was  dark  and  gloomy,  the  wind  blew 
keenly  over  the  snowy  heights,  and  befoi-c*  night  the 
Bnow  began  again  to  fall  ;  and  though  it  was  now  Feb- 


;i  ■: 


nm^ 


118 


THE    BKAR-HUNTERS 


ruarj-,  threatened  a  serious  storm.  The  rude  tenia 
were  blown  down,  the  trees  aflbrded  insuiReient  protec- 
tion, and  they  crept  shivering  beneath  their  cloaks  and 
skins,  and  tried  vainly  to  sleep  through  the  stormy 
night,  rendered  still  more  dreary  by  the  howling  of  the 
wolves,  so  close  to  them,  that  twice  during  the  night 
Harold  rose  to  chase  them  by  firing  his  gun. 

The  morning  arose  dark  and  tempestuous ;  they 
attempted  in  vain  to  light  a  fire  to  make  some  tea, 
and  were  at  length  compelled  to  breakfast  on  some 
biscuit  moistened  with  snow,  and  then  set  out  to  move 
upwards  slowly  through  the  snow,  struggling  against 
difficulties,  till  the  weakest  were  quite  exhausted,  just 
as  they  reached  a  level  spot,  covered  with  snow,  where 
a  deep  niche  in  the  rocks,  over  which  the  pines,  bent 
by  the  winds,  had  formed  a  sort  of  roof,  afforded  them 
a  welcome  shelter.  They  s[)read  the  bear-skins  and 
mats  over  the  snow,  lighted  a  fire  in  the  shelterea 
extremity  of  the  hollow,  and  filling  the  large  iron  kettle 
with  snow,  contrived  to  boil  a  good  portion  of  the  leg 
of  the  bear,  which  was  their  last  meat,  all  lying  down  to 
sleep  soundl}'^  while  tiieir  dinner  was  cooking,  except 
one  to  watch  the  fire. 

They  enjoyed  so  much  the  food,  the  rest,  and  the 
Bhelter  from  the  storm,  that  they  did  not  leave  till 
next  7Tiorning,  that  they  might  have  a  warm  break- 
fast before  they  commenced  the  toils  of  the  day.  Still 
the  storm  continued,  and  after  struggling  on  during 
the  day,  evening  brought  them  to  a  ridge  from  which 
a  sharp  and  precipitous  descent  led  to  a  long  ravine  or 
separation  of  the  mountains,  which  was  now  a[»i)arently 
half-filled  with  snow,  through  which  the  dark  pincg 
appeared. 


or   THE  RocK'i   moi;ntainh. 


lu 


It  Wi\^'  vexatious  to  liave  to  descend  only  to  ascend 
ftfjain.  Stiil,  it  was  inevitable,  and  with  more  ditticulty 
than  they  had  ever  yet  experienced,  they  scrambled 
down  the  steep  descent  to  the  ravine,  and  looked  round 
for  some  nook  to  shelter  them.  What  was  their  sur- 
prise, to  see,  at  some  little  distance,  a  sort  of  hut, 
towards  which,  in  great  anxiety,  they  marched  over 
the  yielding  snow.  It  was  a  large,  low,  cin^ulai  erec- 
tion, somewhat  similar  to  the  lodges  of  their  late 
hosts ;  the  wall>  of  loose,  dry  bushes ;  the  entrance 
from  above.  The  interior  was  clean,  but  contained  not 
a  single  trace  of  habitation,  except  the  skeleton  head  of 
an  elk  or  moose-deer,  with  its  tremendous  horns,  from 
which  they  concluded  that  the  previous  inhabitants  of 
the  but  had  been  l«unters,  and,  also,  that  the  elk  was  to 
be  found  in  the  mountain  forests;  a  circumstance  which 
filled  them  with  joyful  hopes. 

Leaving  the  old  man  and  the  women  in  possession 
of  the  hut,  the  rest  set  out  immediately  to  beat  the 
woods,  hopMig  to  discover  some  game  ;  but  night  was 
at  hand,  and  after  a  vain  search,  they  were  compelled  to 
turn  back  in  some  despondence.  Just  then,  Pat,  whose 
favorite  perch  was  always  the  bough  of  a  tree,  put  his 
round  face  from  a  pine,  and  made  a  signal  to  Crofton. 

"  Where  is  it,  my  boy  ?  "  asked  he,  eagerly,  and  the 
lad  pointed  to  a  spot  he  had  marked  from  the  height  he 
had  climbed,  and  said,  in  a  cautious  tone, 

"  Would  your  honor  be  lendin'  me  the  loan  of  your 
gun  ?  " 

To  this  bold  request  Harold  made  no  answer ;  but 
elinging  his  ritle  safely  at  his  back,  he  climbed  to  the 
eide  of  Pat,  and  from  thenc  e,  to  his  great  delight,  he 
saw  a   noble   elk    feeding    quietly  on    the    first    )oung 


120 


THi:    BEAR-ilUNTKBS 


shoots  jdst  budding  from  some  of  the  [)inos  and  buslics, 
drawing  the  brunches  towards  it  with  the  peculiarly- 
formed  upper-lip. 

Carefully  and  deliberately  Harold  took  his  aim, 
fired,  and  wounded  the  animal,  which  made  a  bound, 
and  forced  its  way  through  the  bushes;  but  Mike,  who 
had  watched  the  direction  of  the  shot,  was  ready  to 
spring  forward  towards  the  spot,  and  as  soon  as  he 
heard  the  rustling  through  the  bushes,  waited  to  see  the 
elk,  and  fired  a  second  shot  into  it.  With  a  strange, 
unnatural  whistling  cry,  the  deer  leaped  from  the  wood 
against  Mike,  overthrowing  him,  and  lying  across  him  ; 
he  struggling  violently,  but  unable  to  rise. 

The  boy's  shrill  cry  for  help  soon  brought  his  friends 
round  him.  The  elk  was  des{)atched,  and  IMike  wa? 
released,  considiirably  bruised  by  his  weighty  antago- 
nist, but  proud  of  his  exploit. 

"  Sure  thin,  Dick,"  said  he,  "  didn't  we  give  him  the 
shots  illigant?  and  isn't  it  a  fine  skin  he's  carryin'  to  be 
coverin'  in  the  tint  for  his  honor  to  slape  in  ?  " 

This  elk,  or  moose-deer,  as  it  is  in  America  com- 
monly named,  was  nearly  six  feet  in  height,  the  legs 
long  and  firm,  the  head  and  horns  immense,  and  Mike 
turned  pale  as  he  thought  of  the  risk  he  should  have 
run,  if  the  animal  had  not  been  mortally  wounded.  It 
was  not  long  before  it  was  skinned,  and  the  skin  pre- 
pared by  the  directions  Mr.  Rodney  gave,  and  which, 
his  reading  had  supplied  him  with.  The  inside  and 
outside  were  thoroughly  scraped,  to  make  the  hide 
smooth  and  of  equal  thickness,  then  smeared  over  with 
the  brains  of  the  deer  and  with  snow,  and  continually 
rubbed  till  a  soft  and  spongy  leather  was  produced,  and 
hung  in  the  smoke  of  the  fire  to  dry      This  leather  the 


OF    TTIK    UOCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


121 


Indians  iiso  for  mocmsin,^,  nnd  for  tlio  warm  .^annonts 
of  winter;  and  thougli  the  tmv('llei*s  still  liad  their 
clothes,  a  deer-skin  covering  was  not  to  be  despised  in 
this  severe  weather. 

In  the  mean  time  some  had  been  employed  in  cutting 
up  and  cooking  steaks  of  the  flesh,  which  resembled  beef 
rather  than  venison,  but  was  enjoyed  with  unbounded 
satisfaction  by  the  hungry  travellers.  They  slept  in 
their  hut,  and  were  somewhat  nductant  to  leave  the  hol- 
low which  had  supplied  them  with  shelter  and  food  ; 
but,  after  a  beef-steak  breakfast,  they  packed  their  abun- 
dant stock  of  meat  into  as  small  a  compass  as  they  could, 
leaving  the  bones  behind  them,  and  once  more  took  up 
their  burdens  and  prepared  to  face  the  mountain  forest 
and  its  diificulties. 

The  snow  had  ceased,  but  the  wind  was  still  cold  and 
wintry ;  yet  for  two  days  they  persevered  with  cheer- 
fulness, for  good  food  and  strong  hope  lessened  the  la- 
bor of  ascending  and  descending  through  entangled 
brakes  and  over  rough  ledges  of  rock.  On  the  second 
night  they  again  found  a  niche  at  the  edge  of  a  wood 
.n  a  little  valley,  where  they  encamped,  taking  the  usual 
precautions  of  sleeping  with  a  fire  and  a  watch.  The 
first  sentinels  were  Crofton  and  William,  and  they  dis- 
coursed long  on  the  boy's  constant  source  of  care,  which 
only  his  firm  trust  in  God,  and  his  belief  that  the  trial 
was  sent  in  mercy,  could  have  enabled  the  youth  to 
sustain  without  absolutely  sinking,  his  sensibility  was  so 
acute. 

As  they  sat  by  the  fire,  Harold  suddenly  started  up, 

saying,  "I  am  convinced.  Will,  that  I  heard  a  r'lstling 

behind  us ;  it  must  be  another  elk,  and  have  him  I  will. 

Keep  watch  here,  my  lad,  till  I  beat  the  thicket."     Tlmn 

11 


1  '2 '2 


TUK    hi: AU-llIM  l.ua 


ixaiiiiiiiii;^  I'is  riHc,  he  stolr  soCily  lowMnls  iIh*  sj>()t  from 
wIm'Mcc  lie   Ih'iikI   llir  soiiiid. 

AVilliiini  contiimcd  to  sit  by  llic  i\v(\  absorbed,  as 
usual,  ill  lhou;j,bt,  till  lie  was  startled  by  a  low  LjrowliujT, 
and,  lookiiifT  round,  lie  saw  a  troop  of  wolves,  fbrTiiing 
a  lialf-cirele,  and  <>radually  (b'awinjjj  up  to  tlie  eneanip- 
luent.  I  lis  first  aet  was  to  tbrow  a  heaji  of  dry  sticks 
on  the  dt'cayiuir  lire,  wliieh  bla/ed  up,  but  did  not  deter 
tbo  animals,  wliieh  advaueed  with  a  Curious  bowl. 
Then  be  snatched  up  bis  rifle  and  lired  at  them,  more 
with  the  hope  of  sunnnoninjj  assistance  than  of  destroy- 
\w^  the  wolves,  for  h(^  was  an  unskilful  marksman.  At 
the  somid  of  the  shot,  the  men  rose  from  their  sle(>p, 
and  Crofton  appeared  from  the  wood.  There  was  no 
titue  for  'vords  ;  every  one  acted  directly,  and  in  two 
minutes  after,  the  shots  bad  dispenrd  the  marauding 
wolv<^s.  "Thank  God,  there  is  no  harm  done!  "said 
INIr.  Rodney;  ''but  I  am  surprised,  Harold,  that  you,  a 
sentinel,  should  have  left  your  duty." 

Harold  was  vexed  at  bis  imprudent  sally,  and  AVil- 
liam  was  ashamed  tlmt  be  should  have  allowed  the 
wolves  to  steal  so  near  unnoticed,  and  they  both 
})leaded  guilty.  But  this  was  not  all  ;  the  voice  of 
lamentation  was  beard,  and  Peggy  came  forward^  ex- 
elaiminix 


n' 


*'  Ochone,  AVill !  and  was  it  your  mother's  son 
would  be  letting  the  murthering  bastes  be  makin' 
oft*  with  our  blessed  mate !  and  we.  be  starvin'  our- 
selves?" 

It  was  too  true,  the  wolves  had  succeei^  'd  in  carrying 
Rway  the  spoil  that  had  tempted  them.  The  large  bas- 
ket of  vt  nison  was  emptied;  not  a  scrap  remained  ibr 
breakfast,  and  at  the  h?igbt  they  had  now  reached  it 


f;- 


OK     IIIK     KOOKY    MOI  N  I  \I\M. 


IL'3 


NVil- 

tlie 
bt>th 
of 
ex- 
son 
Ikin' 
)ur- 


•ing 


ioT 
it 


iv.vs  h(>|K;l('ss  to  «'X|H'ct  1)  iiurt  willi  mor<>  ^am«, 
Clit'CJi'lossIy  tlu^y  |iiirs»i('<l  llu-ir  iimrcli  next  da}';  on* 
ward,  upward,  sKll  they  striJ^<4k'(l  llnoii^^li  i\\v,  black 
fjrest.  At  length  tliry  caiiuj  oti  a  iriit  or  opening  ic 
the  mountains,  narrow  at  th<;  base,  and  widening  to 
wards  tlu;  summit,  lh(!  dark  rocks  on  eaeli  i^'uU'  rugged 
barfi,  and  inaceessibU;,  whih-  far  above  them  rose  thf 
Huowy  peaks  which  they  believed  were  those  they  half 
M*en  from  the  phiins  b«'!ow. 

A  rugged  path,  not  broad  enougli  foi*  more  than  one, 
lay  close  to  the  walls  of  the  dedle,  while  through  it 
poured  a  torrent,  which  v.wxu'.  thundering  forwurd,  and 
Howed  towards  the  north-west.  The  travellers  pnused 
for  a  moment  at  the  mouth  of  this  <lismal  crevice, 
which,  though  it  still  gradually  ascended,  must  form  a 
pass  through  to  the  east;  and  every  heart  sunk  at  the 
sight  of  the  silent,  gloomy,  aj>|)an'ntly  interminable 
road  before  them.  Whither  would  it  conduct  th(;in? 
Perhaps  only  to  perish  with  famine  amidst  the  unex- 
plored intricacies  of  the  mountains,  far  from  (ivery 
living  creature. 

"  This  state  of  things  will  never  do,  Rodney,"  wliis- 
percd  Harold.  "  We  must  be  phutky  ourselves,  or  we 
shall  have  all  the  troop  lie  down  anil  die.  Just  look  at 
Scruton  ;  a  brave  fellow,  I'll  engage,  when  he  is  bear- 
ing down  on  the  enemy  ;  but  now  he  is  as  i)ale  and 
spoony  as  a  milliner's  girl,  as  he  looks  at  this  via  doio- 
rosa.  Tluire's  nothing  for  it,  Rodney,  but  to  wave  oui 
swords,  and  shout  the  old  slogan  —  "  Up,  guards  I  and 
at  them  1  "  What  do  you  think  if  you  were  to  nmk«j 
them  a  rallying  speech  ?  " 

Mr.  RDdney  declined  the  speech  ;  but  Harold  was  a 
Uost    in    himself.     He    formed    his    tr(K>p    into    u    lint^ 


12  i 


Till'.  lu.Aii  in M'l.ua 


i  ■" 


cIummvmI  tin'  woMU'ii,  lim^licd  at  tlic  ;j,ia\t'  faces  of  (hf 
men,  rated  •loliii  tor  skulking;  Ixliind,  as  if  he  Inul 
hrokeii  the  knees  of  his  host  hniiler,  and  then,  slioiihU 
orinj;  his  ride  and  whist nn<j;  a  lively  inareii,  he  led  on 
his  peoph'.  Hut  it  was  not  easy  to  preserve  eheerl'nl- 
Me>s  inehtsed  between  those  toworin;^,  and  sometimes 
i)\erhani;injjj  roeks,  treading  a  path  so  r()n;:;h  that  tht» 
pro;;i'ess  was  sK)W  and  painful  ;  while  olten  the  river 
fit)wetl  oNcr  their  narrow  \\i\)\  and  compelled  them  to 
|>hinge  into  the  icy  water  two  or  three  feel  deep,  till 
they  could  attain  a  dry  spot. 

The  pass  was  so  tortuous  that  they  could  rarely  see  a 
hundred  yards  lielore  them;  hut  at  every  turn  they 
hoped  lor  a  more  cheerful  prosju'ct,  hut  in  vain.  For 
six  or  seven  miles  they  tt)iled  on  ;  then  th(^  delile  ojx'ned 
intt)  a  kind  of  basin,  wiKl  and  barren,  and  covered  with 
stones  i'allen  from  above.  Still  the  oidy  outlet  from 
ihis  comparatively  open  spot  was  another  narrow  delile, 
tiirou<;h  which  the  same  river  rushed,  and  which  was 
incL)>ed  between  rocks,  still  high  and  gloomy  as  ever. 


o    nicrease 


tl 


leir 


distn 


th 


d 


ess,    tue    wuul    rose,  swee[)ni 


If 


fiercely  through  the  delile,  and  the  thick  snow  again 
fell,  darkening  the  little  light  they  received  from  the 
narrow  strip  of  sky  above  them,  and  they  were  glad  to 
seek  shelter  in  a  dark,  damp  cavorn,  where  t<>ads  were 
crawling  on  every  side  ;  but  they  contrived  .o  banish 
them  to  their  holes,  and  lighten  the  dismal  gloom  by 
making  a  ilre  of  a  few  sticks  collected  during  the  day; 
and  warmed  by  oome  tea  —  they  had  no  longer  any 
meat  —  they  coiled  themselves  round  the  fire,  and  slept 
as  well  as  the  howling  storm  permitted  them. 

Next  morning  they  found  the  snow  had  ceased,  the 
gun  showed  itself  faintly  over  them,  and  the  fresh  snow 


OP    TITK    HOCKY    MOtlNTAINS. 


125 


nicltO-l  by  its  hruins,  jionrcd  over  tlir  liri^jhts,  and 
Rwrll(Hl  tlid  river,  ill!  a  cold  loar  Idl  on  tin.'  wandrrcrft 
that  tlicy  niijj;ht  be  completely  ('nclo.>ctl  in  this  fVi^^liHul 
rorky  doscrt,  vvlicre,  except  tl»e  toads  in  the  cave,  ihry 
iiad  never  seen  a  sin;^le  animal.  After  a  lii:;ht  hreak- 
tust  of  biscuit  and  water,  they  pushed  lan;:;ui(lly  lor 
ward,  observing;  with  ahirm  that  their  ru;j;.'ed  pathway 
now  ascended  precipitously,  and  the  latij^ue  became!  no 
great,  that  at  last  poor  JJiMUiis  gav(j  way,  and,  sinking 
down,  ho  said, 

"Isn't  it  pacefid  I'd  be  dying,  Peggy,  it'  we  were 
back  in  your  cabin  in  our  own  blessed  count hry  ?  and, 
8ure,  if  it  be  His  will,  won't  it  bo  as  well  to  die  in  this 
8ame,  barrin*  the  loneliness,  when  you'll  all  be  gone,  as 
you  luides  nuist  be,  g(!ttin'  out  of  this  black  wilderness, 
and  lavin'  me  all  alone,  the  Lord  only  with  me?  and 
wasn't  lie  with  Elijah,  His  prophet,  and  with  David 
himself,  that  was  afther  his  own  heart,  and  won't  lie  bo 
comforting  mo  too?     His  name  bo  blessed  !  " 

liut  no  one  ever  tbouy;ht  of  leaving  the  old  num  be- 
bind.  They  had  the  sail-cloth  and  tent-polos  which  had 
boon  used  for  Harold's  litter,  and  a  hammock  was  soon 
constructed,  where  Dennis  was  placeul ;  a  litfb;  brandy 
from  Harold's  stores  revived  him,  and  all  the  able  men 
cheerfully  olfered  to  carry  him  by  turns,  us  well  ha  the 
narrow,  rugged  road  would  allow.  Another  night  of 
cold  and  [)rivation  was  got  over,  but  the  n(!Xt  day  the 
ascent  had  become  so  abrupt,  the  narrow  path  so 
obstructed,  and  the  lofty  ci-ags  on  each  side  looked  so 
threatening,  that  they  dared  hardly  speak  lest  the  tot- 
tering rocks  at  the  side  should  tall  and  crush  them, 
while  all  hope  of  surmounting  the  steep  before  thera 
seemed  1  ain.     Even   (he  stronii  men  stumbled  and   lell 

11  * 


-  ,,  ., 


120 


TIIK    BFAR-HINTIIRB 


i   K 


in  tlie  trial,  the  women  aiul  boys  scrnrnbUid  on  all  foiiPt^ 
clutching  tlio  scuttorod  stones  to  aid  them,  wliieh  fre- 
qnently  rolled  down  under  their  ;i;ras|),  and  groans,  sol ij^, 
and  cxfdatnations  of  despair  were  the  only  sounds  heard. 

At  length  they  reached  a  resting-|(la<'.e,  a  wide  level 
ppot,  still  enclosed  on  each  side  by  the  snow-crowned 
iieights,  but  an  opening  opposite;,  tin;  travcdlers  saw  with 
thanklulness  led  downward,  though  it  might  perhaps 
only  l(!ad  to  one  of  the  intersecting  valleys  of"  the  chain. 
Weary  as  they  were,  \\n\y  did  not  pause;  to  rest  now, 
the  spur  of  laniine,  and  the  hope  of  relief,  urged  them 
to  proceed;  they  crossed  the  plain,  in  the  midst  of 
which  was  a  lake,  which  was  the  source  of  the  river 
they  had  followed  up,  and  then  descended  through  a 
rocky,  snow-covered  defile  for  an  hour,  wIumi  ihey  catne 
on  a  wide  plain,  covered  entirely  with  snow,  and  dilli- 
eult  to  cross,  for  the  sun  liad  thawed  the  surface  There 
was  neither  firewood  nor  water;  they  dipped  their  dry 
biscuit  in  the  snow  which  they  had  not  the  means  to 
molt,  and  chewed  the  tasteless  morsel  with  sad  hearl.v 
and  silent  tongues.  From  this  miserable  spot,  a  short 
ascent  conducted  them  over  a  ridge  wln^re  another  de- 
scent led  to  a  valley  much  lower,  which  they  reached 
just  as  darkness  shrouded  the  majestic  see  around. 
Rut  they  had  seen  the  bushes  above  the  snow,  and  they 
were  able  to  collect  the  branches,  to  light  a  fire  in  a 
sheltered  rocky  niche,  and  to  indulge  in  the  luxury  of 
tea.  Their  evening  devotion  was  one  of  thanksgiving, 
for  they  looked  backward  on  jterils  escaped,  and  forward 
with  renewed  hopes. 

The  morning  lighted  them  from  this  vnlley,  which 
was  but  lightly  covered  with  snow,  and  they  proceeded 
irver    low  hills  to  a  succession  of   level    ridge:s.  where 


OP   TIIK    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


12'/ 


again  the  dark  pliioa  rose,  inin;j;I(Ml  witli  hiislu's  of  artiv 
niisia,  tlio  very  twi«^s  of  wliicli  lia<l  an  aroiiialic  snirll. 
Amoii^  these  bushes  wcmv  {\iv,  tonus  of  t^oiuc  small 
hares,  witl>  pretty  j;rey  Cur  ami  wliite  ears,  severnl  of 
whieli  fell  umh'r  the  shot  of  the  eager  sportsmen.  The 
skins  were  cleaned,  and  Mary  took  j)Ossession  of  them, 
that  she  nujrht  convert  them  into  caps  for  the  men. 
many  of  whotji  had  been  compelled  to  face  the  wind 
and  the  .sun  wiili  uncovered  heads.  Hut  the  flesh  was 
tlie  j^reat  prize;  and  they  <;^ladly  rested  till  a  rich  {j^ame 
stew  was  prepared,  to  the  ^reat  C(»ntentment  of  all, 
even  poor  Dennis  reviving  after  his  enjoyment  of  good 
meat  again. 

''  For  sari  in,"  said  Dick,  "  it's  one  blessing  they 
have  in  this  poor  country,  that  a  chap  may  shoot  a 
hare  when  his  bairns  is  hung'ring,  and  not  be  feared 
of  being  shopped,  or  being  sent  off  to  Hotany  IJay.  But, 
Captain  Scruton,  how  I've  heard  folks  tell  this  and 
tother  of  'JMeriejt,  and,  as  far  as  I  see,  it's  like  to  be  a 
poverty-struck  place.  Bless  us,  what  do  folks  live  on? 
It  grows  nought." 

"  It's  a  grand  countiy,  l\Iarlin,  but  we've  fallen  on  a 
poor  part,"  answered  Scruton. 

"Ay,  ay,  ca|)tain,"  said  Dick;  "it's  likely  we've 
landed  at  wrong  end  ;  but  W(^'ve  come  over  a  good  bit 
of  ground,  and  it  seems  all  alike." 

"  It's  little  you'd  be  seeing  yet,  Mr.  Marlin,"  said 
Mary  ;  "•  sure,  haven't  I  heard  them  spake  as  knows  it, 
that  there's  towns  in  this  ^ame  'JMcrica  bigger  nor  Cork 
or  Liverpool  ?  " 

"  That's  not  to  be  credited,  Mary,  honey,"  replied 
Dick  ;  "  but,  big  or  little,  I'd  like  to  light  on  one  of 
tiieir  towns." 


\9f^ 


r\U'    lU'An  tiriN  iPH)* 


iC^k 


\P^ 


«! 


•'  I     W'iW    wo    sll!«ll     \\:\\0    PiMnO     Wt'JU  V    tllMrl    Iirfnlt'     WfX 

n»rt«"hil»<  MM.  \>uK,"sniil  UmvoM  ;  "  l>n(  well  mwVo  n  p'Hh 
Tor  (l\)M)\." 

"  W  onld  \v«>  ho  <h\«linp[  n  h'\\  of  jrood  Itnul  Finon,  sir," 
"srtiil  Pcnni-,  "  \\li(M«'  iNlv.  iVlnvlin  uoi»lil  Iw  tnnninir  lis 
np  ;»  MiMlo  t'MlMM.  }\\u\  \o\\  \\o\\\\\  l)0  ImvIm'  me  mikI  iIic 
^xoiwrn  Miul  ih«>  l>o\  <»  to  rmiu  ihn(  sm\n',  und  Ix-  In  iiiif 
lis  {\\)\\  plMsvvs.  ouil   \w'\«M-  slriviti}!   ill    nil   lo   he   sJiM'Kiii^ 

"Wo  nni'-l  oof  lliiok  of  il  vof,  mv  lVi<  lol,"  snid 
Ko,1oov.  "  \V(»  slill  h:n «'  lo  pM  IxmoiuI  llio  KocKy 
Mo\ni(;u»><  \>o<oro  >vo  ll\ii\k  ol'  losl.  TI^mi.  i'IoIimMv, 
wo  o\:i\  lorM((\  <ill  Mr.  ('lol'irn  bo  (i'l'd  ol  s|iovliii^,  snol 
WO  bo  roiin  ijro\:U»>«l  \\\y  fuiihov  tr.'Wol.  I  liust  l»f 
(xOiVs  Mt^ssiofT  wo  sl\;\U  spiMMlily  l»o  oxlrifnlod  iVoiii  (Inn 
iVvgbllal  wiUiorooss  of  nuxiulHini*." 


■f'T^i.Tfir  -^^f '. 


f>r    nil'.     IMM'KT     M(M   NIAINH 


IJ» 


(Ml  A  r  ri'.  u   XII. 


flurpi  ntid   Ifdiiltiln.       Tlio  dt'cciiriil   \,nhi\       A   Skirmitli  wifli  Hut- 
n/'i")         Wnt'-r  in   IIm>   hi'qi'tt  Tlio   lllii' It   lliiir  nml  \  it  (Ut\in.  — 

'I'lio  vuliK'  o(  lion  Ml^in.       'I'li'i  Uniky  Muiinliiinti  in  Ri){hf. 

'I'llK  lit'Kl  «lny'>^  jitiirrMy,  lM(Mi(';lif  lli'in  Mown  t<i 
{/ni<lii!il  slopiK,  (liickly  ««ivii«'<|  vvitit  lii;/;!!  Ihi-Im-;,  of 
P(|tj;»"  like   HMH'II,  niiollirr    viiiicly  ol'  flm   A  >  irnnsin,    IVo 


II 


iciirr  <li(<v  <l"'',crn< 


<i(M|    t 


o  Will! 


rri 


HiiiiH.  Mild   MM  rxrliirna 


lion  oC  pioim  (lmnks}i;iviii}.r  Imii-^I  IV.-fMi  nil,  (or  tliey  ronld 
iiul  lull  lio|M'  llml  llirsr  iij.'iiim  mii'^l  (onldin  IIm-  iri'iiim 
m(  rxi'^lriKT,  \vliil«»  lit  (lin  siHiK^  liinf,  lli<!  lulior  oT 
liM\  flliiii;  woiiM  \n\  f/irnlly  liij;lil(ii('<l.  Aln-)i<Iy  llicy 
Miiw  iiiiiiiliiM'M  of  siniill  liiii'iM  and  imIiImIm  )iu)viti<i;  altoiit 
nndrr  (lie  HJiidtrr  ol"  |Im>  ImisIic.-a  ;  imd  IIi<>m<?;Ii  lofty  In-f-i 
iiixl  jili  {Tiri'ii  vp;.Mdiilion  wir*'  wjiiiliii<.i^,  'li'y  -rf  llicir 
r<  rl   lioitrlMlly  on  llir  |rv(  I  jnoiind,  mid  iiiMiclicd   oii  in  a 


thicci  rasl  roiii'sr.  \\i\\  tind  IImmi-  iti  lli''  lion/on  th'y 
(r.'icfd  (lie  oiilliN<>  ol"  inoiintain^,  wliirli  tli<y  ljii-.t<'d  tluy 
ini^lil  lu'  aide  io  hvomI.  TlMir  ino-^t,  ifriportarit  (;ar»r,  at 
proscnl,  was  (<»  imc<'I  witli  walrr ;  hut  for  soirio  tirn« 
tlii'ii'  aiixioiM  Hrarcdi  wa^  vjiiii. 

Tlicy  cduld  iK»l.  hill  iH'lifvc,  iliat  lh«r«  must,  \m 
many  rills  from  iIm^  inonnlainM,  and  tlifj  (ifviaf'-d  to 
(lie  ii;.';lil  and  Io  llifi  hilt,  liopinjn;  U)  strik..  on  tli'in, 
siH''  finally  (rll  in  with  u  lilllr  rivulet,  of  iihIUmI  .hmow, 
whirli,  Iriclvliii":  ainon<!;  tli';  nxtts  of  thn  l)it(f;r  v.'A'fc, 
biislics,  liad  H  nioHt  unpalatalde,  flavor ;  hut  it  was 
usijj'ul    for   slowing    the    -ahl^ils,   and    Ujey   woro   ghi/J 


m 


IV) 


1  ui.    »'».  \\<  nr \  M  «m 


to    K<'rp     1MMU    it    till     ll\r\     •.l\o\ilil     uiit'l    \\\\\\     n     pMirr 


P(r<  !nn. 


Hu<    i\\\    { 


wo   <l:n 


(l\r\     conlnrii 


.1    .1. 


n     ntMi  rh    on  cv 


(lir    ill\.  m  »'\    rolovt  <1     )il;ou,   fomprllnl    1o    diinK   nl     ll 


«(< 


,'•.:.> 


(!M\    (inV-nt     tnl;    ll\ri\,    <o    (hrH     jMifd     jo\  .    (nt'V    snw 
ll\o  iilulr\M\ii  ol    llu>    lnV}>o  m1\i  o(  o{    \\;»(r\,  nnil    l\!»  Inti  o 


io\\:\\>\'i      \{. 


\\\\, 


V 


jpt  rdi'd    oo    hriiMO    )l\o    ro^t.  \o  dip  In-'   <'\(p  in    (lif    ImK 


;ov 


1    OMio\     \\\\'     rool    ilv:o,i!in(  :    ImM     no    soonn     IuhI     Ih> 


«M^««\i    M,    i\\t\\\     ho   uUrtoil 


U    « 


loliTul    «M  \ ,   <  t\llin!>    oui, 


"  ll''  (loiMov'^i  s(ulV  i<    is,  siMO  !       Will    il    1m'  iIomh   In^iiH 


h 


tM>  we 


tnn- 


1i»io« 


.1     In    th 


^OM\ 


I     ol      <1\ 


0     willow  J      MO 


1       I 


0\V       IMIHhl'-4 


}0\MiU(l     tlio    l.»K<\    the     iMMnrhi"*    ol      a\  lii.h     \\rr(>     rn 


iMU--)**!    wiih    :»    "-nhno  (  jtlorr-miti',    iroi\»    ihr    '^piin     ol 
<!)0  \\!\(<  r.       n(-<tppo\n(  lornl    t\\\A  Am\\\:\\    tOMiKrd    c^orv 
«NMin(onMiu  o,     ;\\ul     )1\»'     iw«>     poo\      w.mwimi     (Uln;\ll\      ;-m( 
«Kn\  n  :\n.l  >\op< 

"  IX-'n'j  \«Mi  ho  lookino  l\Ko  tl\;U.  ^^  \11."  oMmmI  Alrnv  ; 
**sur«\  ihcu,  \t"s  ool  \ov  oumU  1  M  I'f  -onowino;  isn'l 
it  nio)h«M'  \\o;\v,  MOii  Mr.  OKcilU.  tl\o  ium^iImm' ?  ttiid 
how  will  i]\c\  ho  Kn)Mno  ;»1>\«"  willuMit  (ho  tiiop  ol" 
vator.  «n»i  <ho  \0',\  ?     ( Vh«^t\o  I  " 

"  YsMTri^  :V  i:»H><l  lass.  yo\j  m\-<\  M:u\."  siiiil  I>itK, 
'  aini  \(  \  thojiglu  1  ooiiM  tin*l  m  wrll  n-top  ol  >  on  hij:; 
{i\onntain  as  li<^s  th»M>'  north-rasf,  \\\  tnaKv  no  hvjit 
M'  ninning  np  it.  Uut,  1  n\is«liM)h{  t\n\  hour's  oiIkt 
i^o\'\.     1  s,'»y.  captain,  nnist  I  pipo  tt>  qn;ul«>rs  ?  " 

F1^^n1  J  ho  nto\uUain  Oiok  had  poinlrd  out  appcMird 
\  trv\v,>  ot'  wild-hs^kini:  n;»k(\l  ln«lians.  who  !\»lv!iiu>o(J 
*>wariis  tho  <,r;\v«lhM's  ;  hut  w  hon  tlu^y  t\vo\\  nr;>r, 
oaUo^i.  ;UH^  appoaivd  to  ho  in   groal  v'onfustor.,      Howh 


0|:      I  III       (torn  )      I\|<)|IN  I  \  INH. 


I.'ll 


wiMc    liiMMj^lil    Imi  Willi,   !iiiil    llic    JMii  oiii'Miii   mIii' hitilly 

|IM|iMlll|    In   iIiIi'IhI    IIhiii    •  I  \  ""^ 

Slill,  williim,  il  |i<i'i>:ili|c,  ((»  in  dill  fin  iiMfninli'r, 
IM I  |{<"liM'v  liMlilv  (  oMiijcij  '^(iMH<  m(  llic  wliil''  r<)itli(r^ 
ol    llic   will"!    luwl   w  liii  II   \\f{i'  '^cmIIm  f'l    miiiimI  IIm'    IiiI:*-, 

mill  l\ilti'  IIm  III  In  |||i>  iimI  III  u  lMli(r  wilhtVV  IiMIImIi,  till' 
lllUlV  minill  IniUMIil  In  lilMi  lIll'  llnliMM',  VVIIvillJ'  lIlM 
ni^iml  nl  |n  Ml  •'.  A  \i\\  MM'I  11  '|inu<i  (iImimivV':  Inini'.j 
|lli>  !lir  \\il  In  llii:  flcMiniiMJ  I  iilinii,  I'dl  I  lid  il<  I  ,  ,  lie  y 
tvi'li'  wlill  '^I'lifiMilMJ  Ity  '^iicli  H  i|;-,(!iri(c  (Inil  IIm'  iiiMnA'q 
(rll  'lini  I  nl  till  II  'lini.  I  lii-^  Wii'4  imiI  llic  mi;*'  willi  l|i«> 
Xolli'V  nl  'Im'I  I  mIiimmiI,  uliii  Ii  •  miM  'I  In  |iin(|ru<'  j'K'il 
Inini    Miiiniiii    ilii>    liiilifin  .  I'll    Iwn    li  II    m     il    '|(  m'I,   jiikI 


lln 


Ml    llin  nil':    il    WM  !    jit'lin  <|    innin    VVMC    wniiri' 


I.  'I.        I'" 


mm  nni'il  liy  llii:  ^im  (•<•  -^liil  rlli'i  I,  Ili»>  Iimv  IIm-  rrmvi 'I 
(|iiirl;lv  liin\!iiil,  mill  !i|i|ii  nm  li' i|  iMnr  Mimii'li  |r»  -»■♦» 
ijlill  llir  I'  IIM  II  IiihI  )iII  ||m>  !i|i|ti'!ii  linn-  <»I  wild  Ii<m-N; 
llirir  rniililriiiiiM  I-4  \v<  ic  JiidiniK  Mli'l  liMninii-;,  iinil 
lillnlv  ili-\i»iil  «il   iiil«'ll(|n  nil'. 

*' 'I'lii'V    nn^nl    IhiiImI    iiiiIkm',    l.'n'lfn  y,"   «?ni'l    lf>if'»l(|, 


Mini    I'Mll   iiiily 


ly   }»<•  ■^  iili'liH  i|    lil<(     liiiid  ■•,  hy   I 


H> 


III 


iry   urn  MjMIIII  «Iimwiii|.;   Ilwii     how- 


y   Ini'c.       :->' 
I>nwii    l(>  !■!.':.'!    if 


iM 


ImimIh'm,  my  mm,  mid  fiirn  (mvc  il   Ihrrri  Mj,niifi." 

Am  lilt*  niiovvM  IJi'vv,  III'-  rri'ri  (ii(Ktinl<f|  thcrri-;'  I  v>  ^ 
imdn"  Mm"  slirlN  r  of  lln-  IhhIic-;  ;  lli'ri  ii-(m<',  lli'-y  |.(»iir'f| 
II.  ddlllilr  vnllry  of  mIkiI^  nn  lln'ir  Uf>ti\'/ou\<t<,  who  r'-- 
(iTiilid  Willi  riij^lilliil  y«'ll-!  t(»  llif  wood  ff/vrr^d  rrif^nn- 
tMiii,  jciiviiii';  II  iiiimlwr  ol  llnir  corfipjiriiorm  d'  Jid  on  tlip 
(irld,  while  ill'"  l'<iiro(M'Mris  hfi/|  fif»t  M  rri)iri  vvonnd<d. 
A  Hojiliiiy  iiiTow  liiid  pi'Tced  fhf  I'lir  'Mp  <>\  VVillirirn, 
mid  il  wiis  jilfiin  il  miM;ht  hxve  Iri'lirfffj  fi  ffjfjil  voiind, 
lor  it  wfis  luirhcd  with  ji  hard  -t(»rie,  [iolishf,d  and  hri&(hl 

H.H  Htl!(d. 


[' I ,  "SSSstmrnmrnm 


:y  -.v 


ff 


"■  ■  ! 


I 


i 


im 


I 


'M'- 


132 


TH»<:    BKAR-HL'NTF.US 


Pat  employed  hlinsclf  busily  in  collecting  tluvsc  ar- 
rows, of  which  great  numbers  were  scattered  aicund, 
while  the  rest  went  forward  to  examine  the  slain.  They 
shuddered  at  the  re[)ulsive  appearance  ot"  these  savages, 
and  were  shocked  to  see  that  they  had  inhumanly 
abandoned  some  of  iheir  friends  who  were  yet  living. 
They  turned  away  from  the  spot,  deterinined  not  to 
linger  near  this  ferocious  tribe;  and  cai-rying  away  as 
spoil  two  bows,  they  left  the  iield  of  battle  and  the 
deceitful  lake,  scarcely  knowing  where  to  direct  their 
steps. 

"  At  all  events,"  said  Cai)tain  Scruton,  "  it  will  be 
necessary  to  crowd  sail.  These  hideous  savages  may 
have  numbers  at  hand  to  back  them,  and  these  arrows 
well  sent  would  soon  cut  off  all  our  hands.  They  must 
be  a  cowardly  crew,  for  if  they  had  stood  their  ground, 
and  gone  on  pej)pering  us,  we  hadn't  a  chance." 

"I'd  bet  a  good  deal,  captain,"  said  Dick,  "that  yon 
wood  they've  taken  to  is  a  line  place  for  watering,  and 
it's  hard  to  leave  it  to  them  ugly  dogs  ;  but  it's  like 
we'se  have  to  march  on  till  we  come  on  another  such- 
like hill." 

Hungry  and  thirsty,  yet  somewhat  cheered  by  their 
easy  victory,  they  waited  but  to  shoot  two  brace  of  wild 
ducks,  and  then  went  on  straight  forward  till  they  had 
placed  some  milet?  between  themselves  and  their  revolt- 
ing opponents.  Then  nature  cried  out  for  rest  and  food ; 
but  though  the  ducks  were  roasted,  none  had  appetite 
to  eat,  when  their  parched  mouths  craved  water.  For- 
tunately, they  found  on  the  dry  desert  a  plant  resembling 
eorrel,  which  they  chewed  gladly,  and  the  pleasant  acid 
juice  somewhat  relieved  their  excessive  thirst.  Then, 
MX)  weary  to  raise  the  tents,  they  lay  down  beneath  the 


OF    THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


133 


arfeniist'a  buslics,  and  found  a  short  rosj)ite  from  tlieir 
suffcriii'^  in  sleep. 

In  the  clear  morning  lisht  they  looked  round  en  the 
dismal  unvaried  deseri,  and  a  hazy  line  in  the  h(  rizon 
afforded  some  liope  of  mountains. 

*' And  where  there  are  mountains,  Harold,"  said  Rod- 
ney, "there  ou<rht  to  be  water.  God  send  we  may  soon 
reach  such  relief.  Never  did  I  helieve  that  T,  who,  as 
you  can  testify,  have  not  been  a  water-drinker,  should 
long  so  much  for  a  bum[)er  of  that  neglected  beverage. 
Expecrt  to  see  me,  if  we  ever  escape  from  this  (Icfestablo 
desert,  as  curious,  for  the  future,  about  the  (piality  of 
my  decanter  of  water,  as  I  have  ever  been  about  my 
vintages  of  i»ort.     Eheu  !  " 

"  In  truth,  Rodney,"  answered  Harold,  "  you  know  I 
am  no  sjKjony,  and  yet,  for  my  life,  I  caimot  get  up  the 
steam  and  be  jolly,  like  JNIark  Taplcy,  when  my  tongue 
is  rattling  like  a  stone  in  my  mouth  ;  and  I  should  be 
thankful  to  feed  on  grass,  like  the  beasts  of  the  field,  if 
we  could  find  any.  Well,  Caj)tain  Scrulon,  where  are 
we?  Will  you  take  the  lielm?  Will  you  i>ilot  us  over 
these  endless  deserts,  and  through  the  Rocky  Moun 
tains?" 

Scruton  groaned  as  he  re{)lied,  "  I  am  useless  here, 
Mr.  Crofton,  adrift  on  an   unknown  sea,  without  com 
pass,  rudder,  or  provisions,  beset  with  rock-;,  shoals,  and 
pirates.     I  doubt  our  ever  coming  into  i>ort." 

"  Still,  Captain  Scruton,"  said  William,  "I  am  con- 
vinced the  ground  is  more  yielding  to  our  step  than  it 
was,  and  the  bushes  look  less  gray.  Then,  I  observe  a 
high  hill  yonder,  at  our  right  hand." 

"  South-east  it  is,"  said  Dick.  "  He's  right !  W^ll 
keepi  liis  eyes  open,  captain.     Yoji  hill  will  be  like  to 

12 


m 


\:u 


n?»    in.  AH  »n  N  n  us 


eiMiil    printer-!   r\n<l  mclfctl   ':nou   (Iim\h   l\.ri'   funiM\.ir   (I 
\\\  \    l>M'^l)iM:    ;\\\,1  ii    \\ ,    (ill   in  \\\\\\    ■»  \ 


i(>4«i 


tM\    niiMi'    >(    il\i>ni 


Prt>  .'^irox.  i('-;  (\'\'i\    (o  ijnirt  *rm.  H'^  we  ilitl    Ai-Mrtil-n 


K    i(     xonv^rW.    My     M:\v\\\\,"    -mi. I     M:\\ 


\     1  iptnin  h 


Cnlb 


Mill    b.>      hrtl.lino     M,>,m1    h(     mjin.    m^*    tlimiuli    l«rt 


>M'n^  no  h«M(.\-  wov   •«  b;r(i»f'      \\"ovi!»' 


\A  (M  IM 


'      \V 


\'^\'i 


I    (lui\)vi\\'    b.Mlhrv 


on    \on. 


W 


>nliln  1    ihcni    \  on    u  •' 


Kiilitysi  «^'.'<«l  onir\j\l\(  v«'^(onlt\v  W  I 


»:\\  luo  soiiN  liKi'  OUl^ 


80 IN  o-;  r 


ll' 


;\    \]\\i 


Aw 


iU, 


M 


n  V 


\otn'\ 


'.\\\.\\  (M  I'll 


PirK 


"It's  ny\  tl\on>>l\(  r\-  1n>u  \]\^^\  w.vc  m.nt'  Imvi  (  »  nor 
\\\o\y.  V^o.l  lovow  <*  ni.\  \(  \'\\\  ^\l.^n<Mn^>  "(in.  !i\:im» 
luvnlu'U'^  ;\^  <ho\  ;\ro.  ,\n\l\o\\.  1  ilinik  \\\\  -.11  (h.-v'n* 
\><it«M    vMi<    or   n\i^.'ln.'(,,   no\-   lixnio    lo   I''    l''t.:lilinn    Mini 

"   K<M>\«Mnb.M\    1UV    ^>^^,^,^     ^nl."     S!U.I    M\.     l\.>.ll\i'V.    "  (hilt 

<v;o,]    iir~<    lo   .•\pi>ro.\.'h    (h.^n    pnoiii.-Mlh .   Mn.l   only 
»i)^  Mnn<  in  xMu  in\  n  .l.Mon.'o." 


no 


Aiui  (h:U  s:\»\i<-'<   Mli.^>:v(l\fM'  l;n\lnl.'"    .l.-.M.lc.l    I> 


onni^ 


t^Oii 


;ni;\:u\*ui\ 


11' 


;ni.l   \]\ 


0    c^^'nptnn^    n.>(    IxMno     auMin     il 


S>n\\  M;HN.Ml\on  V\\\  s.-vxnio  ii.  \o\ril  bo  holMvin 


}r  vour 


m.)> 


50  V 


M;\n  >ix:h<\l.  ior  lior  o'-^tl*'  ho:u<  ^hnniK  (V.mu  IIvo 
Mg-)\1  ot"  Mvwh  !\iui.  b\)t  li;\ir  ooiuiih^o.l.  sl\o  umIKo.1  oh 
f.ilontl\.  ni<\ijt:\tino-  on  th<^  1;\^(  s(;\(«^  o1'  iIk^^o  M)ioon\  orlo«l 
hoaihons.  till  a  j<nful  orv  tuMu  Alik<>  roMsr.l  I\(M-. 

"  Isn't  il  rt  *l]\rop  ot'  >v;\tlt(M-  V\\\  scc'myy  o\\  \\\\  bnvrii<»?" 
)\c  o\c]:v.mi\\  ;  "  ;v,i.i.  suiv.  won't  thi-;  snnio  bo  n  rn^'l.'ir 
lviji\  h 


i^vr.n*  ii's  no\\;i\>«  ororn.  ms  it  <Mi;:hl  io  bo.  lilv(>  our 
own  illocjr.i!   bo::-s    in  cnon  ouKl   lr<M:uul.       Will   I   bo 


<iVip 


p-.^^iT  on.  Nor  lionnors.  \o  come  ;\f  tho  \v;\ibor.- 
Thon.  not  w.-uiino-  lor  iho  roquiro.l  ponnission.  lio  Mini 
r*at   hoppoti  over  ;ho  now   lunrshv   srivnnJ   bol'oro    the 


or     I  lir,     IMM'K  T     MiilN  I  A  IN^. 


|;l/i 


rmiii  till'  tvillli,  mill  «'sll(|(l  f»  lidlr  ili  I  nlf.i  I  (|  u  !iN  I  iiitfi 
Hu'ii    till  t'ii|t'4. 

•*   II'm    UIIIIm'T     il     Im  !  "     l»>|ilil»(|     |*!||    ill     (If   lijrlil,     "  mikI    flfl 

full  ill  il  111  nil,  nl  nil,  Miil^  llic  H!i|r'',  or  ^dinr  mIIk  r  Int- 
li'i    vimIi," 

Nmih'    wf'ip    piilii  III    i>iMtii(»li    Im    wnil    lill    lli<'y    hImiiiI'I 
riMirli   rlrin    wiiliT   In   n'>j|i(i<";''    lli''it    lliir;l,   Iml    (I'limliy 

(MljtMCtl  llll>  IIIIkIiI  V,  lli'^lCdloMll  (||MI|(.^lll,  liill'i  willi  |Im» 
|H>|  ruliil  inn  tlirniij'li  ||m>  i(inl<  nl  llic  mm^''.  I'lll  M'^  tli'  y 
jinirrnltMl  lln-y  i^nnM  iiirl  willi  vvnl'  i  nn  llic  -iiiriMW'; 
llirii  ill  II  iiiii  inw  rliMiilM'l  ;  (iiiiilly  il  liccjiiii'-  n.  <l<  »•(>, 
I'lrin  till,  l>v  llir  '  i(|(>  n(  uliM  li  llicy  MiniMi|i'  'I,  )m<l  li'M 
IiImIi  (•"-livnl  nil  \\!il<'r.  mimI  nil  llif  ^nnd  Iliiiij/-A  walcr 
cniild    |irniliii'n   Inl     llii  Mi. 

Moirnxrr,  (Inck^   ol    liinh,  Inrt/'M'    IIdim    «|ii)iII-',  tlinii;'li 


Rt 


iliirwimi     I  (■-;r;!iMiii(r     IIhiii,    vvliirh    liiiiiiili  d    llir      jn 


r»< 


Imi  lir^,   iiihI    linvniil    iKiir    llm    wmIm,  wmi-    rniuki'l    li 


y 


llin  s|ini  I  ;mi'ii.  Mini  n  ^iiIVk  icul  tniinliri  w'ii>  -Iml  In  [iin- 
\i(lr  M  |.!niililiil  iiikI  (|(  Ii(inii-4  i(|i!i-l,  for  wlii' li  lli'y 
rnilril  lint  In  nll'i  r  ^nnlrfiil  lliunkM  lo  (fod,  wlio  luid  IV-d 
llinii   ill   llir   wildciiirs';. 

I''nr  IIk*  ih'xI  Iwn  diiy^  lliry  tnivrllrd  ii|>  flic  l»irik:s 
ol"  llir  sliciim,  vvliicli  soon  widmcd  l(»  a  litlN*,  rivuh-t, 
willi  vvilln\v-rd;^r<l  hnriks,  wild  low!  Ikjvm  in^^  ov»r  il,  Mrid 
i\  frrmiri'  licilm^r  nroiiiid  il.  'I'licri  tlicy  r<fudi«'d  fhf 
Hoiircc  ol"  llic  riv«'r  in  our  of  lli«',  isnhilrd  w(»<>(\n\  rnnijn- 
taiiH  wliich  wi  rr  niirjicroim  in  ihin  drsohit*;  rfj^ion.    'I  It'-y 


.i|)|>K)M('lud  lliis  vv«»od  with  (Million,  n'mfrnbrnn;^  tli»;if 
Inic  nicoimlcr,  nnd  wninrd  hy  llif,  u]>]ti"Avnu('.('.  of  a  r<-<s,' 
u\i\r  Iroddcn  piitli  to  the.  Hide  of  the  rivfr;  yet  sn  ih**, 
trMVidh'is  w.Tc  (jiiili!  Jiwurf;  lluit  thfy  wcvc,  (U-Ucuat  in 
tlio    keen    (iisciiininution    which    enuhlo.s    tlie   rifitivo:-*    at 


186 


Tin;    UKAU-lllIN  IKUS 


)i 


ii 


% 


':l 


otu'c  io  disliiifriiish  a  (rail,  i\wy  coiiM  not  dccitlc  wIiciIh'I 
it  was  llu;  step  of  man  or  Ixasl  that  had  iiiarkcd  the 
palli.  At  all  risks,  the  plaot"  was  siiilahlc  I'or  an  on- 
cainprniMit ;  thoy  rostc-d  thcri'lori'  clos(»  to  tho  water, 
which  was  so  precious  to  (hem,  nvsolvcd  to  keep  watch 
Btriclly,  and  he  fully  prepared  lor  aclion. 

Ar()und  tluin  lay  many  is(dale<l  hills,  and  the  vast 
chain  ol'  the  Kocky  Moinitains  wa .  now  plainly  visible, 
bel\)re  (hem,  and  many  an  anxious  ;i;lance  was  directed 
towards  that  formidahle  harrier.  The  tents  were  onee 
more  raisetl.  (he  bear-skins  and  ma{s  spread  over  the 
marshy  <»;round,  a  (ire  was  lijjjlHed,  and  a  supper  of  v  ild 
(owl  ju'cpared,  (hen  all  {iladly  souu'lu  repose,  (except 
Harold  and  Dick,  (he  first  on  watch;  bolh  (piick  and 
alert  (o  ac(,  bu(  careless  about  keepinji;  up  (he  fire,  which 
they  did  no(  consider  necessary  I'or  waiindi,  and  which 
might  interfere  with  (he  chance  of  spor(. 

"  You  see,  Dick,"  said  Harold,  "  whether  (hose  foot- 
marks be  those  of  man  or  beast  (In^  visi(ors  will  take 
care  t  to  coino  near  the  fire  ;  they  will  k<!ep  beyond 
our  shot.  Couldn't  we  smother  it  up  a  little?  What 
have  we  to  fear  from  Indian,  bear,  or  wolf:  we  havo 
our  j^ood  rifles  and  our  sharp  knives." 

"  Knives  is  it,  sir,"  said  Diek ;  "  then  as  to  them 
knives,  begginji;  your  pardon,  you'd  as  good  stick  a  pin 
into  an  old  bear.  It's  not  a  bit  of  good ;  you  might 
stick  him  right  and  left,  if  he'd  let  you,  and  he'd  baud 
on,  and  niver  be  no  worse.  But  just  send  a  shot  right 
through  his  heail,  and  it'll  may-be  tell.  He's  a  desp'rate 
rogue  when  he's  vexed,  and  hugs  like  a  rat-trap  ;  and 
I'll  tell  you,  a  pat  with  them  sharp  claws  of  his  just 
rives  skin  and  tlesh,  so  you  mind  what  you're  about, 
Mr.    Crofieu  ;    and   thei-e's  another  thing,  we'se  have 


•11:- 

h 


OP  Tfir,  norKY  mountains. 


137 


to  kcei    finict,  for  1u;*m  not   tlmt   fool  to  com*'  and  fac« 


us. 


TIloy  HinotlicnMl  llio  (ire,  and  llicn  ('rouclicd  among 
lh(^  (liick  biisln's,  closo  to  tlio  wat<!r,  and  \hcrv.  waited 
patiently,  occasionally  innttcrinj^  tlicir  hopes  and  fears 
to  each  other  till  past  ini(lni;^ht;  then,  weary  and 
cramped  with  iheir  position  they  were  about  to  rise, 
wIk'II  they  were  arrested  hy  a  rustHnf^  in  the  wood,  atid 
aheavy,  dnll   sound  of  fuotsleps. 

"  It's  a  bear,  I'll  ho  bound,"  whispenMl  Dick.  "  You 
fire,  and  then  run  up  a  tree,  till  I  p;ive  another  shot; 
and  if  that  won't  do,  and  we've  a  chance  for  if,  we  must 
tr}'  atiother  round.      What  is't?  do  ye  see  ?" 

Harold  (lid  see  a  hnj^e  black  form  stepping;  heavily 
nlonfj;,  and  by  the  li^ht  of  tlu-  stars  he  saw  also  that  it 
,was  not  alone.  It  was  a  she-beai*,  with  two  cubs  wad- 
d\\u<x  after  her.  They  ap|>ro!U'be(l  the  water  slowly, 
and  as  th(^y  drew  near,  it  was  plain  thc^  unusual  apjx'ar- 
ances  mad<^  the  mother  uiM'asy.  She  n;iowl(!d  as  she 
looked  round  on  the  tents,  th(^  smoke  from  the  fire,  and 
th(^  various  sijjjns  of  intrusion  on  h(^r  rji-ounds.  Then 
she  stopped,  and  turned  her  head  to  look  after  her  cubs, 
in  such  an  inconvenient  position  that  Harold  feared  h« 
should  be  unable  to  take  a  good  aim  ;  but  at  all  risk  be 
fired  upon  her. 

The  beast,  with  a  furious  roai*,  turned  rotnid,  and 
erecting  herself  on  her  hind  legs,  made  ready  to  fall  on 
her  foes.  Dick  called  out  to  Harold  to  take  care  of 
himself,  and  shot  the  animal  in  the  breast.  It  fell  for- 
ward, and  Harold,  thinking  to  secure  the  conrpiest. 
turned  to  make  a  second  and  niore  accurate  aim  ;  but 
before  he  could  fire  the  bear  had  I'isen  again,  and  with 
one  blow  of  its  heavy  paw  it  dashed  the  rifle  fiom  his 

12* 


138 


Tin<:  nKAR-nrNTKUs 


'1 


l!  = 


n 


■i  'III 


um^ 


hand,  wliich  wnnt  off,  and  wonnd<^d  one  of  th-j  caVyR. 
The  poor  beast  sercamed  plteously,  and  this  fbitimatfly 
diverted  tiie  motiier's  attention  from  the  m<'n,  and  she 
tnrned  away  from  it.  By  this  time  the  nois«  of  war- 
fan;  had  roused  Mr.  Rodney  from  his  lair,  and  he  ap- 
peared fully  armed.  As  soon  as  he  saw  th<'  situation  of 
thin;^s,  he  waved  the  disarmed  Ilarohl  to  one  sich*,  and 
cautiously  drawing  near,  shot  the  enraged  beast  through 
the  head. 

"  Don't  ye  be  over-sure  yet,  sir,"  eried  Dick,  running 
U|)  to  Ilaro'd  ;  "  she'll  eheat  you  again,  if  you  don't  look 
sharp.  And  what  occasion  were  there  at  all,  Mr.  Crof- 
ton,  for  you  to  show  again  after  you'd  given  your  first 
shot  ;  didn't  I  tell  you  about  them  sharp  claws?  You'll 
have  a  bonnie  hand  and  arm,  I'll  be  bound.  But,  ]Mr. 
Rodney,  we'se  not  let  yon  littJe  chaps  get  of!';  tiiey're 
good  eating." 

One  cub  was  dying:  the  other,  standing  licking  its 
dead  mother,  oflfered  itself  an  easy  victim;  but  the  j)it- 
iful  women,  who  now  had  joined  them,  moved  by  the 
sight  of  the  affection  of  the  awkward  animal,  begged  its 
life.  Then,  to  make  sure,  as  Dick  said,  they  skinned 
the  old  bear  and  the  cub,  now  dead,  and  cut  up  the 
flesh ;  and  all  idea  of  returning  to  rest  being  given  up^ 
they  employed  themselves  in  keeping  up  a  bla/ing  fire 
to  drive  off  the  wolves,  which,  attracted  by  the  snull  of 
blood,  had  drawn  near,  and  their  howls  rung  through 
the  mountain  forest.  The  surviving  cub  lay  moaning 
by  the  side  of  the  skins,  which  nothing  would  tempt  it 
to  leave  ;  and  Dick,  who,  though  re  ugh,  was  tender- 
hearkid,  declaved  "  there  was  no  biding  nigli  hand,  it 
availed  «)  like  a  Christian." 

They  weitJ  not  sorr^   when   nioining  light  chafed  all 


OF    THK    KOCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


I.TJ 


lire 
llof 

ling 

It  it 

ler- 

I,  it 


intrii(l(  rs,  aiul  allowed  them  to  look  round  and  (•onsi()",r 
tlicir  jK)sition.  HaroM  wa-*  in  had  spirits ;  lii.^  liand 
an<l  arm  were  much  torn  hy  the  sharp  claws  of  the 
hear;  and,  thoufih  the  wounds  had  hccn  dressed  as 
carefully  as  circumstances  jjcrniilted,  he  still  sulfrred 
<,n*^at  pain,  and  was  vexed  and  mortified  to  find  that 
hi,  f'lvorite  rifle  was  hent  and  rendered  useless  by  the 
hear. 

"  It's  clean  heyond  my  hand,"  said  Dick,  lookinjr  at 
the  <^un.  "  Give  m(;  my  timmer  and  my  tools,  and  I'se 
not  turn  my  hack  on  any  workman  livini;,  in  the  matter 
of  a  tidy  hoat  or  canny  hits  of  house  johs,  or  auiiht  in 
that  way ;  hut  these  hip;  fin^hcrs  of  mine  could  never 
tackle  to  your  knicknnckeries.  It'll  never  do  another 
stroke  of  work,  T'se  feared  ;  it's  such  a  clean  smash  that 
awkward  beast  has  made  on't." 

"  The  hear  had  provocation,  INFarlin,"  said  Mr.  Rod- 
ney;  "and  it  is  in  the  nature  of  hears,  as  well  as  of  the 
nobler  creation,  to  indidfj^e  in  fits  of  anj^er.  But  our  iwi 
of  revenge  shall  he  more  rational  and  profitable  ;  we 
will  eat  our  enemy." 

"  And  sure,  your  honner,"  said  Pegfry,  "  isn't  thci-c 
the  bag  full  of  that  same  precious  salt  as  was  lying 
wasting  about  yon  chatin'  wather,  and  vexing  Mary  and 
me  outright,  and  we  gatherin'  it  up  without  )>aying  a 
penny  at  all.  And  wouldn't  we  be  salting  these  ille- 
gant  hams,  and  smoking  them  over  that  black  fire,  and 
kai)ing  them,  seeing  we  may  corap.  again  on  the  famine 
days,  God  save  us  !  " 

The  hams  of  the  two  bears  were  salted  and  smoked, 
and  the  rest  of  the  meat  packed  conveniently  for  car- 
riage; ;  then  Mr.  Rodney,  looi  ing  on  the  handsoma 
skins  spread  oui  to  clean  and  dry,  oliserved,  — 


i"fer^ 


140 


TIIK    BF.AR-ITTJNTKRS 


"I  iliiiik,  my  frie'iuls,  yoii  are  (aking  unnpofssnry 
trouble.  Why  should  you  encumhcr  yourselves  with 
these  weighty  furs  now,  at  the  cud  of  Fehru'iry ;  when, 
according  to  the  laws  of  nature,  we  may  expect  the 
return  of  sprinjj;  speedily,  and  shall  certainly  not  require 
these  warm  coverlets." 

"  Furs  are  of  consideral.de  mark(!t  value,  Mr.  Rodney," 
aaid  Scruton ;  "and  after  my  heavy  loss(!s,  I  um 
anxious  to  seize  every  opportunity  of  improvi'!*^  my 
prospects.  It  would  be  unheard-of  wastefuln(!ss  to 
abandon  these  valuable  skins,  so  providentially  sent  to 
us." 

"  What  madness.  Captain  Scruton ! "  said  Harold, 
impatiently.  "  Do  see  how  all  these  poor  fellows  are 
laden.     AVho  is  to  carry  this  additional  burden?" 

"I  will  sooner  carry  them  myself  than  fling  away 
such  a  prize,"  answered  Scruton. 

"  Nay,  nay  !  "  ^r.id  Dick.  "I'll  niver  stand  and  see 
it  —  sea  or  land,  blow  high,  blow  low,  captain's  capt;iin, 
anyhow  ;  and  I'se  niver  be  he  to  see  him  liug  a  freight 
like  that  atop  on  his  shoulders  while  I  were  able  to  take 
in  a  bit  more  lading.  I  reckon  it  would  be  all  one  as 
mutinv." 

So  Dick  rolled  up  the  bear-skins,  and  shouldered 
them  manfully,  leaving  the  disconsolate  cub  mourning 
for  this  utter  bereavement ;  and  Harold  drjectedly  bore 
ofl'  his  disidded  rifles,  declaring  that  he  could  not  bear  to 
leave  it;  besides,  Mr.  Rodney  suggested  there  was  the 
probability  of  falling  in  with  a  gunsmith  in  that  solitary 
wilderness. 

Thus,  well  provisioned,  but  jdl  heavily  laden,  they 
.-esumed  their  journey,  making  from  one  hill  to  another, 
for  there  they  always  met  with  streams  tTiekling   >ver 


or   THF.    ROCKY    MOUNTATN'8. 


141 


the  heiglits,  now  tluit  tlu^  sun  Iiad  powor  to  nuilt  the 
pnow;  and,  undisturbed  by  tlie  dread  of  f'atnine,  tb<'y 
went  on  cheerfully  for  many  (hiys.  Already  the  snow- 
crowned  ridires  of  the  Hoeky  Mountains  were  seen 
|)Iainly  before  them,  and  they  liad  not  yet  encountered 
any  serious  obstacli;  in  their  j)ronfress.  Relieved,  yet 
involuntarily  tremblin«];  at  the  sight,  they  encamped  on 
the  banks  of  a  ch-ar  rushing  rivulet,  amidst  tall  willowa 
which  formed  a  thick  belt  on  each  side  of  the  water, 
and  passed  a  night  of  ped'ect  repose. 


■.-JJ-(--        l,r ».^._ 


142 


THE    BEA.B-flUNTERa 


CHAPTER     XIII. 


'    ii: 


liil 


11 


A,  Mi8chie\ous  Arrow.  —  The  Volcanic  Mountain.  —  Buildinp:  and 
Fowling.  —  A  Sporting  iixcursion.  —  Wherd  lies  the  Mountain 
Pass.  —  The  Pine  Wood.  —  The  Glea  of  the  Dead. 

A  BRIGHT,  breezy  morning  tempted  the  managing 
women  to  desire  a  day's  delay,  tliat  tliey  might  wash 
the  linen.  Tliis  was  granted,  and  the  men  employed 
the  time  well  in  .^hooting  the  partridges  and  water-fov;l, 
or  in  fishing,  and  thus  made  large  additions  to  the 
stores  of  provisions.  The  linen  was  washed  in  tlie 
river,  and  dried  on  the  banks,  and  the  women,  assisted 
by  Dennis  and  Pat,  were  folding  and  smoothing  it  by 
the  water,  when  a  rustling  among  the  trees  on  the  oppo- 
site side  caught  the  attention  of  Pat,  who  uttered  a 
warning  cry,  but  too  late,  for  at  that  moment  an  a'*»x)w 
twanged  across  the  ri  ►^er,  and  stuck  in  the  foot  of 
Mary. 

But  the  cry  o^'  Pat  reached  the  ears  of  John  j»nd 
Dick,  who,  armed  with  rifles,  came  up ;  and  Pat  point- 
ing out  to  thera  the  spot  from  whence  the  atiuck  was 
made,  they  fired  into  the  thicket,  A  rustling  sound 
succeeded,  and  then  they  saw  two  Indians  appear,  who 
ran  with  incredible  speed  towards  a  wooded  hill  about 
a  hundred  yards  distant,  and  disappeared  among  the 
trees. 

'* They'll  have  gone  to  fetch  up  the  gang,"  exclaimed 
John. 

"Ay,  ay!"  said  Dick;  "they'll  pipe  to  quarters,  »*m 


OF    THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


142 


ne  and 

ountain 


naging 
t  wash 
iployed 
or-fowl, 
to  the 
in  the 
assisted 


it  by 

or>po- 

ered  a 

foot   of 

« 

ohn  ?nd 
it  poi'^it- 
i.ick  was 
sound 
ear,  who 
ill  about 
long  the 

claimed 
kers,  9**^ 


we'd  as  well  crowd  sail,  my  lad.     But,  Maiy,  honey 
never  be  down-hearted ;  let's  see  this  mischief." 

Mary  suffered  the  men  to  inspect  the  wound,  and 
John,  somewhat  practised  in  stable  surgery,  mdertook 
to  cut  out  the  barbc'd  arrow,  witli  an  alarmii.  ^^  sort  of 
lancet,  vhich  he  produced  from  a  case,  and  the  oj)era- 
tion,  though  roughly,  was  successfully  performed.  Then 
Peggy,  with  many  tears  and  much  reviling  of  the  In- 
dians, washed  and  bound  up  the  wouna  ;  while  the  sports- 
men, recalled  by  the  sound  of  the  gun,  were  listening 
with  ahirin  to  the  vexatious  advenliu'e. 

"  AVe  ought  to  move  off  immediately,"  said  Sciuton. 
"No  doubt  the  Indians  will  covet  the  linen  they  iiave 
unluckily  s(!en." 

"  But  this  poor  girl  cannot  possibly  walk,"  said  Mr. 
Rodney. 

"  Sure,  then,  your  honner,"  said  Mary.  "  I'll  be 
managing  that  same  for  a  bit.  Won't  I  he  betther 
walking  with  a  sore  foot,  than  being  kilt  altogether  by 
them  haythens." 

Mr.  Rodney  protested  against  the  experiment ;  but 
all  were  so  anxious  to  escape  from  the  neighborhood  of 
that  suspicious  wood,  tliat  they  set  out  briskly,  th« 
anxious  girl  scarcely  feeling  the  wound  in  her  lesire  to 
escape  from  the  dreaded  Indians ;  and  before  it  was 
quite  dark  they  had  left  the  spot  many  mile  .  behind 
tliem.  Then,  scarcely  able  to  see  wiiere  they  h\d  halted, 
encam])ed  beneath  some  trees,  Jind,  relyine;  on  their 


they 

watch,  all  slejit  but  Mary,  who  lay  awake  in  groat  pain. 
In  the  morning  she  was  feverish  and  exhausted  ;  her 
foot  was  greatly  infJiJ.med,  ai»d  it  was  plain  she  would 
be  unable  to  walk  at  present,  and  they  must  necessarily 
be  delayed. 


144 


TIIF,    IlKAK-TirNTr.H,* 


iii 


iftl 


Wliilo  Pcjrirv  foincntiMl  the  s^wollcn  foot,  mtkI  Mr 
Rodney  |)r('j)ar(Ml  sucli  composing  mviVn  ino  n.'*  tlie  tniv- 
ollin;i;  niedicinc-rliest  jitronlcd,  Harold  '/iiTUton,  nnci 
Dick  set  out  to  observe  tlieir  sitnntion,  nnd  to  choose 
some  retired  spot  for  tlieir  enforced  rest.  The  sceiKM'j 
was  heaiitiful  ;  a  vast  range  of  Ibrest  v.as  sj)read  ronnd 
as  Car  as  the  lower  eminences,  which  formed  the  hase 
of  the  Rocky  INIountains  range.  Tall  timber-trees,  Just 
budding  into  leaf,  stood  at  short  distances;  the  ground 
was  covered  with  newly-sprnng  green  gras!^,  and  a  clear 
stream  nujrmure(l  musically  through  tlu^  midst.  Flocks 
of  small  birds  wer<'  hovering  lound,  or  twill(>ring  among 
the  trees;  the  riv(>r  swarmecl  with  fisli,  and  gray  hares 
were  coursiiig  over  the  herb;>.ge.  It  was  a  lively,  ver- 
dant solitude. 

"•  It  is  fa>' too  good  to  be  safe,"  said  Scruton.  ""We 
shall  come  on  some  of  those  land  i)i rates  cruising  about 
sooner  than  we  like,  or  I'm  much  mistaken." 

"  AVhat  is  yon  tall  peak  I  see  over  the  trees?"  said 
Crofton.  "  Let  us  go  a  little  iu^ar(M%  and  have  n  look 
at  it." 

The  mountain  was  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from 
the  encampment,  g]j>omy  and  isolated,  rents  and  fissures 
yawnins;  round  the  sides,  and  sliowing  the  black  volcanic 
rock  of  wiiich  it  was  formed.  There  could  be  no  doubt 
of  its  being  an  extinct  volcano. 

"  This  is  just  the  sort  of  place  the  Indians  liold  in 
dread,"  said  Scruton.  "  I  have  met  with  travellers  who 
have  lived  among  the  red  men,  and  all  say  that  these 
savages  believe  the  volcanic  mountains  to  be  haunted 
by  evil  spirits,  and  therefore  carefully  aroid  them.  1 
should  'Any  this  was  a  safe  place.** 


Ol'      IltK    IJOCKV     MOI'NIAINB. 


H5 


"I  say,  Dick,  would  it  1)<>  possil)!*!  Jo  srrainhle  up 
ard  t5«'e  what  wo  van  find  above?"  said  Harold. 

"How's  ycur  hand  ("or  tho  job,  u\v?  it's  nought  to 
mo,"  said  Dick. 

Tlic  hand  was  quite  well ;  and  ;^ivin<^  Captain  Scruton 
the  ^jjuns  to  hold,  the  two  activ(5  men  climbed  the  side 
of  lh(!  lofly  mountain,  clin^inf^  to  the  creeping  shrubs, 
which  scantily  clothed  tlie  bhick,  burnt,  crumbling 
rock,  that  was  not,  howtver,  so  steej)  as  to  r(!nder  the 
ascent  dillicult.  It  seemed  about  three  hundred  f'ewt 
in  hei|Tlit,  and  on  the  summit  some  snow  still  lay. 
When  they  reached  the  height,  tliey  saw,  with  aston- 
ishment, that,  with  the  excejjtion  of  a  hem  of  about  a 
hundred  yards  in  width,  the  extensive  summit  was 
one  hirf^e  sheet  of  water,  surroun(h;d  by  reeds,  and 
covered  with  thousands  of  wild-duc^s,  geese,  and  other 
water-fowl ;  while  on  the  sides  were  gathered  cranes, 
storks,  and  many  unknown  large  birds,  all  of  whi(;h 
seemed  quite  unconcerned  at  the  arrival  of  tlie  un~ 
usual  visitors.  The  men  stood  a  few  mimites  to  look 
at  the  scene. 

"  We  must  have  Rodney  up  here,"  said  Harold ; 
**  he  will  enjoy  the  examination  of  this  curious  crater 
though  I  fear  he  will  not  like  the  fatigue  of  the 
ascent." 

"  I  were  considering,  sir,"  said  Dick,  "  as  how  we 
could  rig  up  h  bit  of  a  lodging  here  for  yon  poor  lass,  till 
ghe  come  round.  Th  jre's  never  a  soul  to  come  nigh,  I'd 
be  bound.     But,  Mr.  Crofton,  what's  astir  yonder,  sir?" 

"You  rascally  little  dog,  what  brought  you  here?** 
said  Harold,  as  Pat  emerged  from  among  the  reeds  with 
his  cap  filled  with  large  eggs. 

"  Sure,  then,  y«r  honner,"  replied  the  boy,  "  wasn't 

13 


saeai 


146 


THE    BFAR-HUNTERS 


)i^ 


1!'^    ■ill 


m\ 


I  thinkin*  to  be  helpin*  you,  seeing  Mr.  Marlin  and  you 
wouldn't  be  bavin'  the  time  to  be  biidnesMng;  and 
aunt  Peggy  and  Mary  wantin'  so  sore  some  eggs,  and 
she,  poor  girl,  so  bad,  ochono !  And  will  ye,  Mr 
Crofton,  be  lendin'  me  your  caubeen  for  another  lot  of 
the  same." 

"  Get  along  with  you,  graceless,"  said  Harold  ;  "  here 
are  eggs  enough  for  a  week ;  we  had  better  bring  Mary 
to  the  eggs  at  once." 

"  And  wouldn't  that  be  the  raal  thing,"  answered 
Pat.  "  Sure,  then,  yer  honner  is  cute.  Will  I  run 
down  and  fetch  her  ?  " 

The  active,  nimble  lad  waited  for  no  reply;  but, 
swinging  himself  down  the  steep  as  lightly  as  if  he 
had  been  one  of  the  monkey  race,  was  at  the  encamp- 
ment long  before  the  men,  telling  of  the  wonders  of 
the  Black  INIountain,  and  alarming  poor,  languid  Mnry 
by  insisting  (hat  she  should  come  along  directly,  and 
run  up  the  bank. 

When  the  matter  had  been  duly  discussed,  it  was 
agreed  that  the  retirement  and  the  plenty  that  were 
found  in  this  strange  spot  rendered  it  desirable  for  a 
residence,  till  ]Mai-y  should  be  in  a  condition  to  walk, 
and  Dennis  be  recruited  by  rest  and  plentiful  food 
There  was  some  difficulty  in  transporting  the  invalids 
and  the  baggage  to  the  heights,  but  the  strong  men 
did  not  shrink  from  toil  ;  and  before  night  the  tents 
were  raised  on  the  mountain,  and  in  such  a  secure 
hold  no  watch  being  required,  all  slept  as  soundly  as 
their  noisy  neighbors,  the  aquatic  birds  would  allow 
them. 

When  morning  showed  them  their  new  domain,  the 
women  were  delighted  with  it.     Poultry,  eggs,  water 


ii 


OP   THE    ROCKr    MOUNTAINS. 


147 


and  security;  what  more  was  there  to  be  desired? 
The  wearied  old  man  again  petitioned  that  he  might  re- 
main in  such  a  pleasant  home  for  life  ;  till  Mr.  Bodney 
v'^onvinced  him,  that,  exposed  to  the  frost,  and  snows, 
and  winds  of  winter,  life  could  not  be  preserved  here  ; 
nor,  indeed,  could  they  have  remained  here,  if  they  had 
arrived  two  months  earlier.  Besides,  except  some  low 
bushes  which  had  crept  over  the  edge  from  the  rocky 
sides,  and  the  reeds  round  the  lake,  there  was  no  fuel. 
The  ground  was  covered  with  rich  short  grass,  springing 
from  a  light  sandy  soil,  and  was  in  every  direction  bur- 
rowed by  the  common  rabbit,  which  is  so  plentifully 
diffused  over  the  whole  earth. 

"  These  tents  might  easily  be  carried  away  by  a 
gale,"  said  Cajitain  Scruton.  "  We  ought  to  have  some 
more  secure  protection  for  ourselves  and  our  property. 
What  do  you  say,  Marlin  ?  Can  you  rig  up  some  sort 
of  cabin  ?  " 

"  We're  short  of  timber  here,  captain,"  answered  he  ; 
"  but  we  can  easy  hoist  up  a  few  spars  from  below,  and 
fit  'em  in  for  posts." 

"  That  will  do,  Dick,"  interrupted  Harold.  "  I  see 
it  all.  Then  we  will  weave  the  reeds  in  to  forta  the 
walls  and  roof,  and  daub  all  with  clay.  It  will  be 
capital." 

"  All  easy  enough  to  say,  sir,"  said  Dick  ;  "  but  words 
isn't  work.  There'll  be  a  good  bit  of  labor;  but  were 
not  badly  off  for  bands ;  so  let's  start." 

The  earnest  men  were  soon  down  on  the  plain ;  some 
tall,  slender  pines  were  cut  down,  lopped,  and  drawn  up 
with  ropes ;  and  glad  to  have  work  to  employ  them,  the 
active  "  hands  "  soon  had  the  fi-ame-work  of  two  huts  run 
up  ;  one  for  the  women  and  the  cookmg,  the  othor  for  the 


t  ''^^f^^fl^'tT^  !^: ''*'.':: '.  £~'"'^  T; 


u  I  Jwu»sawi'"v^ 


148 


THK    UKAK-IIUNTKK8 


lU; 


Mii 


'II'' 


li        f 


men  and  llie  l)a{i:fi;Mp:o  ;  tlu*  nrms  mikI  ammunition  being 
carofully  urofoctcd  by  tlio  bear-skins.  They  saw  with 
concern  that  of  the  am|)le  slor(!.s  brou;i;lit  from  the 
wreck,  a  very  small  quantity  of  biscuit  and  potatoes  waa 
left,  and  one  bajj  of  flour.  Tea  they  had  yet,  but  very 
little  supjar  remained. 

"  The  -iugar  we  must  resign  to  the  women  and 
O'Reilly,"  said  Harold,  "  and  put  ourselves  on  short 
allowance  of  bread  ;  this  will  be  no  preat  privation 
wlien  we  can  procure  eggs  and  ducks  to  anyan.ount; 
though  we  must  be  cautious  not  to  drive  away  our  game 
by  alarming  them  with  frequent  shots." 

But  Mike  and  John,  Wvdl  versed  in  the  meaner  arts 
of  sporting  by  nets  and  snares,  contrived  silent  methods 
of  procuring  the  fowls,  to  avoid  disturbing  them  by 
firing;  while  Pat  continut3d  to  pillage  the  nests  with 
excessive  enjoyment,  though  not  always  with  impu- 
nity, for  he  had  more  than  once  a  conflict  with  an 
enraged  gander,  and  had  to  scream  for  help,  after  re- 
ceiving a  severe  drubbing  from  the  strong  wings  of  the 
injured  bird. 

In  a  few  days  the  simple  huts  were  completed  and 
thatched,  and  the  travellers  looked  round  with  quiet 
satisfaction,  enjoying  the  idea  of  a  home.  Spaces  had 
been  left  for  light  and  air,  and  the  tent  covers  and 
skins  made  carpets  and  couches ;  Dick  entertained  some 
visions  of  tables  and  chairr ;  but  the  idea  of  a  perma- 
nent abode  in  this  mountain  solitude  was  utterly  re- 
jected by  Rodney,  Crofton,  and  Captain  Scruton. 

"  It  is  somewhat  dismal,  Harold,  to  read  the  same 
books  over  day  after  day,  without  aim  or  end,"  said 
Rodney,  flinging  aside  his  favorite  "  ililscl  ylus." 

^  My  dear  fellow,"  answered  Harold  ;      take  up  my 


■  r  '1' 


OK   Tni:    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


149 


Sliiiksponre.  A  singlo  pjjgi;  will  afroid  you  mntcrinls 
for  thinkinj^  for  tlu^  day.  Supposii  yon  ('omniciico  a 
Greok  tnuislation  of  tlio  wliolc  of"  the  |)layM,  and  in  the. 
mean  tim<*  I  will  d('so(Mid  with  my  !j;Mn  to  lower  {ground 
in  search  of  some  Irgitimate  sport.  Ncltin;;  hird.s  is  sad 
elow  work.  What  do  you  think  of  our  daily  life,  Cap- 
tain Sc niton  ?  " 

"  I  think  it  is  a  WListe  of  time,  Mr.  Crot'ton,"  answered 
he;  "and  time  is  money.  It  is  Jilways  an  unfoilunate 
eircumstance  to  he  encurnhered  with  wojnen  passcnjjers. 
Here  are  we,  sound  and  seaworthy,  laid  up  in  dock, 
when  we  might  be  turning  the  little  that  is  left  ♦o  some 
account;  and  all  because  a  girl  has  a  bad  foot." 

The  next  morning  Harold  and  Rodney  took  their 
guns,  and  John  and  Dick  being  engaged  in  making  nets 
for  fowling  and  fishing,  Mike  was,  to  his  great  delight, 
accepted  as  an  attendant,  and  likewise  suj)plied  with  a 
gun.  Then  they  descended  from  their  abode  and  pro- 
ceeded over  the  green  hills  whicl  hxy  before  them,  to 
de-cend  into  grassy  hollows,  and  again  mount  to  higher 
hills,  while  beyond  these  lay  hill  upon  hill,  mountain 
upon  mountain,  ridge  above  ridge,  wooded  and  snow- 
tipped,  spreading  before  them  many  miles,  continually 
rising,  till  the  view  was  cut  off  by  the  lofty  snow-crowned 
crests,  which  were  lost  in  the  clouds.  Mike  gazed  at 
this  strange  sight  with  amazement  and  awe. 

"Worra!  worra  !  yer  honners  ! "  said  he.  "Sure, 
ye'd  niver  be  climbin'  up  to  the  sky  altogether  !  that 
bein'  a  raal  sin  ;  and  wouldn't  we  be  like  them  building 
men  in  the  Bible,  that  would  be  thryin*  to  set  up  their 
biir  house  at  Babel,  and  ancrerin'  God  by  that  same? 


Sure,  didn't  He  give  us  all  the  world  to  live  in,  and 
kape  the  sky  for  Himself  intiroly  ?  " 

13" 


150 


TMK    HKAIl-miN'  ..!'« 


11 


*' Till'  l)iiil(l('is  of  the  town*  of  HalK'!  wwo.  sinnor.^, 
Mike,"  said  Mr.  Kodiioy,  "  Itccjiiist'  llicy  pr('t(;n(l('(l  to 
raise  worlds  imiumI  to  (liosd  of  the  Creator,  and  wen- 
pimislied  tor  iheir  |tresinu|»lioii.  l>ut  these  iniglUy 
rocks  are  (iod's  ,.,vii  huihlii);jj,  and  lie;  lias  fiot  lor- 
hidth'ii  His  ereatnres  to  pfo  (brih  over  all  the  earth.  I 
should  eerlaiidy  leel  some  alarm  myself  at  (Ik?  jMospeet 
of  scalinj;  yonder  lolly  heights,  for  mortal  man  has  never 
reaehed  them,  and  we  are  but  mortal;  hut,  douhth^ss, 
the  know  le,lii;e  and  judgment  of  our  skilful  e(/m|»anion, 
I\Ir.  Croften,  will  lead  «is  sat<dy  tln*ou;j:h  the  howei,-,  of 
the  mountains,  and  save  us  from  the  perils  of  the  as- 
cent." 

"  You  kr.ow  better  than  I  do,  Kodney "  answered 
Harold,  "  ihat  there  are  several  safe  and  easy  passes 
of  the  mountains  ;  why  hou  d  we  not  fall  on  one  of 
those  ? " 

"  Why  not,  indeed  ?  "  '•aid  Hodney,  f^ravely  ;  "  eon- 
sidering  that  the  ehain  does  fall  short  of  two  thousand 
hiiles  in  length,  it  eannot  be  so  very  dillieult  to  meet 
with  one  of  the«<e  smootli  highways." 

"  Well,  Rodney,"  rei)lied  Harold,  "  it's  no  good  chafling 
me.  What  are  we  to  do?  We  have  got  into  a  mess, 
and  we  must  scramble  through.  At  present  we  an;  tol- 
erably well  oflf,  and  we  can  afford  to  wait  a  little  and 
look  round  us.'' 

"  Tolerably  well  off!  "  repeated  Rodney,  with  a  sigh, 
as  visions  of  his  former  days  of  peaceful  enjo}  nent 
crossed  his  mind.  "  Truly,  Harold,  I  have  no  taste  fwr 
the  Red  Indian  life.  I  like  my  snug  rooms,  my  easy 
chair,  my  books,  my  well-cooked  dinner,  a  id  my  bottle 
of  34  port,  I  love  not  to  slay  man  or  l>east^  and  would 
mthtr    look  on  my  vt  nie'Mi  at   table,  obliviou;^  of  the 


,-  V 


OF    Till';    KOCKY    MOUNTAINS 


161 


mess, 
III!  tol- 
Ic  ami 

li  sigli, 
ncnt 
;te  iwr 
easy 
I  bo' tie 
Iwould 
)f   the 


fniMiiis  o**  M'atH 0)1*111  i  111^  It  (Vom  livinj;  deer  to  tlie  savory 
meat,  tlinii  hi*  «-()mj)(Il(Ml  to  olTiciate  as  butcher  and 
cook,  an<l  lliMs  losi;  all  a|>|)etite  for  the  imtemptiiig  re- 
past." 

"  Now,  don't  fly  I  he  nonsensical,  Rodney,"  answered 
Harold;    "you   like   a    (hiy's  shoofin;^    as   well   as  any 


man. 


A  day's   shooting,   I    jj^rant,  my  l)oy,"    rejilied  h« 


"  hnt    a  month's    slioolin«r,   with    the 


pa 


m 


fid 


neecssi 


»y 


hef'on;  you  of  l)rin<jjinn;  down  or  fastinj;,  and  tiie  occa- 
sional  variety  of  killin;:;  a  fcllow-ereatnr(%  is  not  sport, 


hnt  dismal  slaver 


mc;  to  all  —  h 


lint   I   have  doini ;  this  reconciles 


U)W   iJieasmur 


!  h 


low  irlorions 


!   tl 


MIS  to  con- 


template Ihis  maf^nitlcent  di-play  of  tin;  mi^ility  works 
of  the  Creator!  How  wonderful  would  \u>.  a  hirds-cyf! 
view  of  the  immense  area  covered  hy  these  extraordi- 
nary mountains,  and  \]u\  ri(;h  valleys  whi(di  lie  hid  amon}» 
them.  Alas!  that  the  toil  of  explorin;^  them  should  ha 
so  tryin<5  to  my  nntntor<'d  lind>s." 

"  We  must  keep  ourselves  in  trainin;j^,"  said  Harold. 
"Come,  let  us  cross  another  of  these  hi'di  ridiies." 

They  reached  the  summit,  and  looked  on  a  steep 
descent,  clothed  w''h  an  ancient  dark  wood  of  pines, 
apiiarently  unbroken  by  the  entrance  of  man  or  beast. 
Far  below  lay  a  deeji  narrow  valley,  still  as  death,  and 
unapproachable  except  through  the  thick  wood.  This 
was  rport  to  Harold,  but  Rodney  murmured  over  his 
rent  garments  and  his  thorn-scratched  face.  Mike, 
shorter  and  more  agile,  ducked  beneath  the  bushes,  and 
careless  of  his  ragged  fustian  dress,  jiursued  his  way, 
•nidaunted  by  diilicultic:.'.  They  had  nearly  reached  the 
valley,  when  a  cry  from  the  boy  summoned  his  com- 
p>iniions  to  a  little  cleared  glen,  where  lay  two  bleached 


'>  >:TV 


I  q^ 


'|!'       r 


Jlii 


■if 

I'li 

111! 

!'|!l| 


152 


THi<:    UKAU-HUNTKKS 


human  skeletons.  Not  a  particle  of  flesh  rcmainetl  otj 
the  whitened  hones ;  hut  not  one  of  these  hones  was 
hroken  or  displaced.  No  voracious  animal  had  violated 
the  remains  of  mortality,  or  they  would  have  gnawed 
and  disturhed  the  hones.  Decay  had  gradually  pro- 
ceeded in  its  destructive  work  and  succeeded ;  and  the 
two  tall  skeletons  lay  there,  as  they  had  sunk  to  death, 
tranquilly.  A  shuddering  awe  kept  the  hunters  silent 
for  some  time ;  then  Harold  said,  "  How  has  this  heen, 
Rodney  ? —  has  murder  or  famine  done  this  work  ?  '* 

"  God  alone  can  answer  that  question  now,"  answered 
he;  "but  this  discovery  seems  to  be  intended  as  a  warn- 
ing to  us.  It  points  out  to  us,  Harold,  that  there  is  no 
pass  here ;  we  must  attempt  the  formidable  undertaking 
at  some  other  point.  Let  us  leave  this  glen  of  horrors. 
We  will  not  wait  to  inter  these  dry  bones ;  here,  it  ia 
plain,  they  will  remain  undisturbed,  and  the  sight  may 
Berve  as  a  warning  to  future  adventurers.  God  he  mei* 
cifui  to  all  who  wander  in  the  wilderness  1" 


( ^  II . 


.    ill 

I*;  i 

iflii'!i|ii 


Mil 


iii'liiiiil 


I 


■i;i  I'r 


or    THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


153 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

A-bundanca  of  Game. — Men  and  ITorses.  —  An  Easy  Victory. — A 
Vexatious  Prisoner.  —  The  Obdurate  Arncliffe.  —  Jolm's  Disap* 
pcintnient.  —  Once  more  on  n>urch. 

TiiKY  left  tlie  relics  of  mortality  with  thoughtful 
hearts,  and  after  mounting  several  successive  ridges, 
paused  in  a  beautiful  green  valley,  through  which  ran  a 
clear  rivulet,  on  the  banks  of  which  the  footsteps  of  ani- 
mals were  visibly  impressed  on  the  moist  soil. 

"  This  is  our  ground,"  said  Harold  joyfully.  "  Here, 
Rodney,  we  will  step  behind  this  thicket ;  and  Mike, 
my  boy,  you  beat  the  bushes  ;  but,  remember,  if  you 
drive  out  the  game,  that  you  cut  away  quickly,  for  fear 
we  should  shoot  you  by  mistake." 

Nothing  could  have  suited  Mike  better :  he  cau- 
tiously wound  round  into  tbe  midst  of  the  opposite 
wood,  and  then  hallooing  and  striking  the  bushes,  he 
was  soon  assured,  by  the  rustling  sound,  that  he  was 
actually  driving  the  game  before  him  ;  and  very  soon 
the  hunters  were  gratified  by  seeing  two  large  elks  ap- 
pear from  one  part  of  the  wood,  and  from  another  a 
huge  black  bear. 

*'  Where  are  you,  Mike  ?  "  cried  Rodney. 

"  Here,  in  the  three,  sir,"  shouted  Mike,  waving  a 
ragged  red  handkerchief  from  a  tall  pine. 

"  Then,"  said  Crofton,  "  I'll  take  the  bear ;  and  you, 
Rodney,  let  fly  at  the  elks."  The  plan  was  followed ; 
one  elk  fell ;  but  the  bear,  though  wounded,  roared,  and 


It 


1.^4 


1  Ml      \\\    \U   IM'N  I  »•  WX 


H.'^ 


11 

i 

k 

h 


iiMi'OMlt'tl.  )iur'««n<<l  l»v  boll)  liiiniii  .  who  rollowrti  llin 
M»M»il\  (mil  lo  II  »'n>o  in  \\u*  iitoK".  mimI  roiumiMici'il  n 
\v^i\\:\y  Miofjiv 

"  \\  (Mnii-^i  ImKc  (inn  (»li(Mi(,"  HMul  MiuoM;  "  m.d  rnrli, 
n«  li«'  I1m»o,  nu«<>t  rm»  olV  (o  i»m»'him«  (lie  nMinliM  rlmi{M». 
1  (mK«»  (I»o  (li^t  ««I\o(." 

Wo  \\\v\\  i)(  rnui)iM\)  in(o  (li«»  »l<>n  ;  ii  tlccp  prowl  win 
0>o  «>\\l>  i\i»(i«'»»  «»r  (!».«  ulinrK.  Ml.  Kit.lmM*n  sli(»(  pro- 
tlihM'd  It  n\oii'  MMi\r\   i\>in'. 

"TliiU^  I)  Im(.  Ko.ln.'V."  .Mir.l  lliirol.j  "  W  Inil  i  !.•( 
of'  killi(»!i  lu>  (mKo^  lli'll  \m\\\\\\  I».'  wokIi  mII  iIh'  |.n\v- 
«1.M-  MM. I  l»iiUi'(^.  riiis;  (o  Aoiir  lir.nl.  mi\  1-oM  (.  How." 
.\)\*l  MjI^M  llMn^M  (imi,  miiiI  dicw  hm  K  jini  n^  (ho 
fVijilufnl.  ^r\MHti\^  hr.nl  ol'  (ho  l>o;tr  wm«  oimiiioimIn  pio- 
tni.lod  \\'\\\\\  (ho  m,mi)-  ,.|'  (ho  .Ion.  riion  I\o.Imo\  iooU 
i\  iIoIjImmjUo  '.\\\\\  l'n>\n  (ho  -ido,  mmiI  .hixoir.l  iho  iin- 
mo(\so  JMW  ol"  (ho  h«',»«.(.  wh\('h.  n»,i.l«lo(\i  .1  ui(h  piiin. 
n«sho\l  roiw,\nl.  IomuIho  i(s  ho.-nl  jorw.inl  on  (ho  jMonml, 
wnd  (\>Mn\\!:  hotiihlv.  Tho  moii  loh  iMlhor  mImiiiumI, 
ImK.  >\  i(lhh';\w  )mj>  holnoil  (ho  (roos.  (Iu'\  oMoh  lirod  onoo 
n\«>(H',  i\\h\  \\w  p«VM-  uniniul  .■'.ink  oxh.ui-lod  wiih  (ho  los» 
of"  Mood. 

*•  This  is  h!uh:n»U'<  woik.  lliuold,"  s',\u\    "Wv.  Ko.hioy 
*' I   i\i»\o  (u>  (;»>(o  lor  \isolos,><  sl!Ui<ih(iM\      \>  hal    in   (ho 
Wv>rUi   o.u\  W(^   do    wi(h   (hi.-*    M\on>lo(',  so    C-.w   mh  \vo   twv. 
r«\Mn  homo  ? " 

"  Snn>  (hin,  _v<m'  honn«'C."  s.-jid  Mdxo.  do^ppino;  iVom  n 
tnv  ovor  (h«Mr  h.(\'uls.  "w«>n"(  I  (mil  him  all  (ho  w.-iy 
nnsolt." 

"  (\muo  rt\v;\y,  Miko."  s:u»l  Kodtu^y.  "I  hoar  luorg 
nistlinjr  in  tho  thioko(  ;  wo  aro  hacdly  propai'«Ml  lor  an 
pnv\Mnitor  on  tins  oloso  givnnd  ;  wo  had  botlor  nMurn  fo 
the  t»|>on  valloy 


Ol'      nil'      IMM'MT     MM|iNf^|N<<. 


\nii 


m|     It 

pro 

•«  lot 

Uovv" 
\.>    i1m« 

to  i«u 
I  pitiiK 
\  iin)\tl. 
\rn\t'tl, 
(1  owrf 
\i'  los« 

otlnov 

'     WAX 

tor  iU» 
It  urn  to 


I'Im'V    OinjjiMil    ili«>    Immi    Willi    iIk'Iii    I<»    ||i»    VMlli'y 

Wtll>l<<  |Im>V  IhuI  UIN'iI  ||ii>  r||(,  llintlpli  (i  ill  (ill  llitil  liny 
liniil  iiImiimImii  iiiin  III  llii>  I  iiiiiImoih  llllillMih  ;  liiil  liii|i« 
pily  IIm'V  fi'iiml  I  MiK  iIm  M',  tvliM  lnol  IiimI(i<I  IImiii  Ut 
(lio  <i|inf,  iiimI  \mi  :  *  Mill)  iii|iliiliiitr  Willi  iiiiM'li  mili-^  Inrriori 
llii<  mImIii  f'IK. 

**  I  (linii|t||l  il '^o  wrii'  IlicKy  yi'M  im>m|  miioIImi  IdiimI," 
PllM  li)<  :  "mimI  wIhm  I'll  DiiiMlii'il  my  Jul*,  I  nil' i  y,  Iml 
II'm  nil  liwliil   iniiil  ;    (  iml  i^/ivi'  ihi  !  " 

Till   V    lift    li'll'  i|     In  ill  ril|iilll|l<   lln<   i'\U,  M-'.   IIm'    IhIJM"   Mhl- 

i«>i'.-4  wdiiM  li.'ivr  ii'iiiln I'll  ii  iJiHiriill  loDiiiy  il  lliioiij'lt 
llii>  wiKiil,  Mini  llirii,  lir.'ivily  Imlrii,  kiI  mil  limiii'VMiMl<i, 
nil  llii  il  nwii  Inn  li.  'I'liry  idmIhiI  lln-  hi^l  miri7»w  viil- 
Iry,  Mild    •^'til  ilnvvii  In  nxt,  mimI    m-.   ilMinJil    Innkiil   up  lliii 


oll*r    VImIii    n|H'ii    In    ||ii>    iim  III,    im    Imi    »h    |Im>    ryr    run 


iM 


iriK 


■I..  I 


lo  Mini 


My  n|iiiiinii  'h,  |)irK,  Ihiil  wp  mi{rlil    In  Iimvi-  k'pf  i 


in 


timlll.         TIiIm     lnn|;M     |i|; 


(Ml   II    Wi<  Mir  Inn  Inr  Hnillli   lor  Mil  ni^sv   l»ll>H 


«•    n   n-jMiiiir   ioimi  ;    mimi    »i»)»«fi 

III  r< 


'I 


\\ 


lino   llirii''H  nil   j'MHy  \h\a^ 


7  I' 

iiHwrriil    Dirk,  "  it'i 


liKo  4<iimi|.r|i  wi'M  I'lill  ill  willi  Inl^  of  IImmi  vJcioiH  ffijiiri>. 
I'vi'  Ih'miciI  Icjl  MS  linvv  llicy'ic  nivvMy^  cinmh*!  ioj/  ov»r 
In  rmiir  mi  llii'iii  IiiiII'mIoi-h  ih  kri'jM  rin  lV)llirr  nnU;, 
W«"'i'('  Im'hI  mil  ol"  llifii   liM«k." 

"All  ri^lil,  I  )i(k,"  niMWMrd  flnrfild;  "  hut  it,'«  plain 
w<i  cMiiiiol  (  rn-iM  lu'ir  ;  Mild  wr  cMfi  ii^'Vi^r  mriMiri  ^liiit 
ii|i   ill   ymi  ml  Inip;    Mr.  Undmy    i-;   iair/)rrif'»rfMM'-,  nnd 


I 


IIIIIHt  COHHK 


In-  I 


Hill. 


'II 


ml  K  jiK   ynii  likr,  Kii 


KJiid  l)ifk,  •'  uu(]  iu(\y  )>('.  it 
will  lie,  liowiy  lor  lliciii  km  can'l,  run  up  nrid  down  ifiAy. 
VVIijil  lor  Mil',  yr.  idliin^  lluit.  hid  WHst,<!  j/omI  i»<<wdf,r 
willi  his  |i;^i'OM-Hliooliji;^  ;  h(;'H  rniitinouH  if  h»;  ovf;r  g»jfJ 
A  gun  into  hin  hand." 


15G 


TUK    BEAK-IIUNTKRS 


v:, 


\\-n- 


i  !' 


■3i^ 


Mike  had  killed  several  long-billed  snipes  before  the 
voice  of  authority  could  check  his  wanton  amusement; 
but  Ilarohl  commanded  caution,  for  he  saw  some  moving 
objects  towiu'ds  the  norti:,  which  he  asserted  must  be 
dci.'r. 

"  Likcl'<;r  Injuns,  I'l  say,"  observed  Dick,  "only 
they  gallop  over-fast  for  th'im.  Why,  sure  as  death, 
sir,  yon's  men  o'  horseback  ! " 

"  On  horseback  !  "  repeated  Harold  ;  ''  what  a  blessed 
sight !  They  seem  but  a  small  com})any.  Do  you 
think  we  could  buy  some  of  their  horses?" 

As  the  horsemen  cjune  on  at  full  speed,  it  was  seen 
that  there  were  no  more  than  a  dozen  men,  nearly 
naked,  painted,  and  armed  with  bows  and  spears 
They  wim  mounted  on  small,  swift  horses  ;  and  as  they 
rapidly  drew  near,  they  uttered  the  usual  discordant 
yells,  and  waved  their  spears  in  a  threatening  manner. 

"  There's  no  chance  of  trading  here,"  said  Dick ; 
"  we're  in  lor  a  skirmish,  but  we'll  light  it  out.  Come 
behind  these  here  bushes,  honeys,  we'll  never  let  'em 
see  how  short-handed  we  are." 

They  had  scarcely  time  to  withdraw  behind  a  ram- 
part of  ])ines  and  brushwood  before  a  shower  of  arrows 
fell  around  them,  fortunately  intercepied  by  the  thick 
branches  and  enduring  foliage  of  the  pines. 

iV  double  round  of  shots  returned  bv  the  concealed 
hunters  succeeded  so  effecturjly,  thai  the  Indians  drew 
back  in  dismay,  leaving  two  horses  lying,  and  probably 
believing  their  a<lversaries  more  numerous  than  they 
really  were.  More  arrows  fell  harmlessly,  but  another 
well-aimed  round  of  shots  made  the  Indians  turn  totly; 
one  dismounted  warrior  springing  behind  a  more  fortu- 
aate  companion,  and  one  man  stooping  to  drag  the  bear 


OF   TIIF    ROCKT    MOUNTAINS. 


157 


iiira- 

Iri-owa 

thicU 

sealed 

drew 

Ibably 

they 

iiother 

o  tly ; 
librtu- 
beai 


upon  1ii;3  liorse,  and  in  two  or  three  minute.^  they  liad 
galloped  back  in  the  direction  from  whence  th(^y  came,, 
and  were  soon  out  of  sight. 

The  victors  then  quitted  their  post,  and  Mike,  in 
great  indignation,  exclaimed,  "Worra!  worra!  s'lre 
wasn't  the  spalpeen  riding  off  with  the  bar,  and  nn 
trailing  him  all  the  way  for  that  same  murthering  rogue 
entirely !  " 

"  Never  mind  the  bear,  Mike,"  said  Harold  ;  "  we  can 
treat  our  friends  to  horse-flesh  steaks,  which  are  said  to 
he  excellent.  See,  our  shots  have  actually  destroyed 
three  valuable  horses  !  " 

"'  And  here's  a  fellow  lying  right  an'  under  this 
beast,"  said  Dick,  "  and  an  awful  crushing  he'll  have 
gotten." 

A  deep  groan  from  the  man  proved  that  he  was  still 
living,  and  a  struggle  made  by  the  horse,  as  if  unwilling 
to  injure  its  master,  showed  that  it  was  also  conscious  ; 
and  tliey  gently  raised  the  woimded  animal  and  drew  it 
from  the  man  ;  but  it  staggered,  and  sank  down  again. 
In  the  mean  time,  they  hastened  to  assist  the  Indian, 
whose  groans  indicated  his  sufferinjxs. 

"  Look  to  the  horse,  Dick,"  said  TIarold,  ''  while  we 
see  what  can  be  done  for  this  unfortunate  Indian." 

Mike  filled  his  cup  with  water  at  the  stream,  which 
(hey  threw  over  the  sufferer,  who  gasped,  opened  his 
eyes,  and  to  their  amazement  said,  "  Dogs !  have  they 
left  me?" 

Mr.  Rodney  startiul  back,  but  Mike  cried  out,  "  Sure, 
your  hoimers,  isn't  it  uncle  ArnclifFe  ?  " 

The  disguised,  painted,  degraded  man  was  indeed  the 
wild,  reckless  father  of  poor  William.  A  ball  had 
passed  through  his  shoulder,  wiiich  had  causeil  a  great 

14 


\:)A 


I  III    HI  \  i(  III  N  n  u^^ 


loss  vC  M«v»il,  tii\<l  lilt'  violil  Ic;;  Wfia  mishtMl,  jiiid  np|»iir« 
I'ullv  lMi>k('n   h\   Hit'   lioiM!'   liillin^  upon  il.       Tlic  huirf 


injiliv  «»MMnri|  (o  o«M:moii  tlu'  mi'iHi'st  |miiii,  iimI  I»h 
luutloKMl  rxrniUions  ninl  iinpMliml  nicM  wnr  IciiiliN' 
1«>  lioiiv,  ulnl«<  his  rliMi'il!il>l«<  ttltrntliitilM  IxMiiitl  ii|)  \\\a 
\\o\\\\\\*,  i\\\\\  v\u\\i\\\m'\\  lo  Hlinifililru  llic  ImmI  iiikI 
HliM((«Mri|  liml>. 


\> 


ill 


u'n»  \\\\\  wo  ho  cinrviii   iiini,  \rr  iinimcr,    poIi 


iIhmI 


Mil 


\0 


W 


til 


iviT    hv    m'Hiii     l\im    ii|t    lo    inollnTrt 


ni    l.l.MV     hi' 


OMhin.      Will  1  nin  olVto  hMrh  Will  ?  "* 

"  NVhnr's    Will?"    viitMl   llio    immii. 
hrjiins  oii(  il"  he  tries  (o  niii  oil"  noniii.      l-rl    iiu>   he,  von 
nuMhllinjr  li'lhnvs.      Whoio  mo    \  on  iJjoin^  lo  Inko  nio  ?  " 

l>i\'k   \v,u\,   in  iho   n\o:m   liin»\   hroiiiiht    unlo-    lo   lln» 


>vonn» 


h^l  1 


lorso 


sljuu'hotl   iho   Mood  whioh   llownl  I'lMin 


its  nock.  ;uul  hMn»l:\}io«l  il  uiih  his  somiI.  TImmi  loMvin^ 
lh<^  nninml  1\  ino;  nuioilv  nninrhini:  iho  ^rass  r«)niul  il, 
\\v  innuMl  to  assist  his  ronip:inions. 


U 


o  so 


llk(^      to      1> 


in 


Or.l. 


suit 


I  h 


w 


o    must 


hMiul>  onfV  him  il  h<'"s  ohslioporoiis.  A  Tool  !  iloosn't 
lio  know  » hat's  ijood  tor  him.  Woll  nlun;l^^o  him,  Mr. 
\\o«ln(  V.  no   lo:>"  ;  hnl    il's   a   hard    joh  lor  Irllows  ahonj 


a   sail   lo   ro 


ill 


worn  out.      Thoiv,  la»l,  ho  otV,  ami   toloh 
him  in." 

Vho  man's  oyof*  glist<Mio<l  wilh  raj^o,  and  iiis  lonjriio 
ponn^i  «Mit  toul  invtHMiv«>s  on  his  pn'sorvors,  lo  uhirh 
th»  V  tnrnod  a  d«\a*  o.xw  Miko  aso«Mnlod  Iho  hill,  and 
thon  oalh^i  onl  <hal  liolp  was  nich,  sii:nallin_i:  lo  those 
on  llu'  plain  to  hasiiMi  «m\vards.  In  a  tow  miniilo« 
.l*^lln  .-ind  AVilliam  a]^p«^aro«l.  and  Miko  had  scarooly 
timo  to  toll   th<^  storv  holori'  ihi  v  roaohod   tho  parly  in 


tii>i 


rt\ss. 


flohn  inun«^liat<dv  tliroolod  his  atfonlion  lo  liu» 


iiorso.  whilo  W  lUiam.  in  gnat  agitation,  oamo  up  to  his^ 


It\       I  III      IMM    K  V     MMI'N  I  AJNM. 


ir.fj 


inflM't,  nml  wIumi    Im'   ^nw  him  imkfil.  iitMl  |n(liil«'»l  WUr  n 
PMVMiM>,  In*  rn\('i('t|  liiM  (net'  Mini  i^(iltli»(|   with  ^liiiffi*'    mikI 


H  Mfuw. 


Il( 


.n 


»>  |Mlll((|    oU    III-:  (iwfi  rniif    fo    lliiow   ftv'i 


hi^ 


f'lillirr  :    liiit   Im>.  u'illi  oiiili.,  ||iMi<r  it   lintri  liitri,  iiimI  in   iii- 


niZMiiv  Mfiiin    iM'^i^ 


Ir.l 


Oh      III    MM'    l< 


n  fii 


nrif 


I'oil 


Miml'l/, 


iilhr  II  Imii^  IjiiM'  ^iii'iil  in  iiIImi  Mli»m,  ItP  ^iifik  into  n 
uliilf  til  iii'^i'U^iltilil  V,  Mini  liy  flml  liiiu'  Mike  IdmI  (»•- 
(iiiihmI    uilli    n     mimIIk'-^;,    micI    |Im>     'nil,    in    wliirli     (liry 


swnllicM  liitit,  imdI  Ikiic  l.irit  on  IIm-  fiimII  ifM-;,  u^  f')ir»'- 
I'lillv  i\^  IIm'v  coiiM.  lull  will)  ill'  i»»lil»l''  diniciilf  y  ii|t  lli<' 
jnoiinlniii,  wln'if  Mr.  iJofJiM'y  nml  .lolin,  («•  lit*'  \ir<i  f»f 
llit'ir  skill,  m'l  (Iit<  Iru,  mikI  in v<'I»i|i«'(|  il  in  loirk.  Tli'- 
ninid  IIh-v  I'll  •••  •II'"  ••!ii«>  o("    l'<'j.((i:y,  mimI  wli«ri,  fli<.iirr|i 


\v 


innlinllv    ircdvci'  d.  In 


WM- 


riinic    -iilMrii';<i V,  Mr.   I'od 


ncy  <j!iv<>  liiiii  M  r«'vv  flioji-;  (if  JMiKliiniiin,  iiri'l  l»  If  liirn 
to  llic  wouM  n.  TIm"  ImmiN  ix  l(»n;n(|  i'i,r  i<  iK^lirM'Tif 
iiimI    i<'s;|,  lull     lolni    irlnin<w|    In    Inin^    lip    llif    W(»iifi'l' 'I 

liot's' ,  »<'l>)'>lly  K''"i"i<  '>'"'  lip  >li*'  "^t'' |),  Mn'l  in><lnHing 
liiin  ill  |H»^^lrswi(lll  nl'  llic  pn'  liiir  ioiiimI  (I'<'  Idkj'. 


u  p 
liitn  I 


i('ir*M  work  in    Imn  yrl,  -ir,"  -ni* 


I   .I'll 


III 


nri( 


I   U'i 


IIIVC   H 


Ml 


iT-^l,  Kny  II  wrrk  1*1  i^fl    liiiri  lo  r*  < 


I    II 


•t<.  V 


iipliMiHJ  liini  lo  ciiriy  mII  I'  l»}ij.'j^n<^»' 


iM 


innKt  liMppy  i-mI'Iiiik-i'  lliul  will   he  lor  o 


II   h 


)iir  nflli't'd 


JHtiu's,  tlolin,"  snid    Mr.   Ko<lnr 


y,  "  and    I  rntr<>if,  yf»u   lo 


put  llic  MtiMiinl  into  npnir  lor  Kiirh  n  imchil  piuposf 


•fill 


f 


"tCMicrly  «'xp<<trd  to  di'iivi*  ♦!V»ri  tliut  fKlvunlH^';  from 
(Hir  ill-stMrrrd  cxcur'^ion  of  pIcH-^iirf." 

"Tlifrr  it  i^,  KodiK'y,"  'Jiid  Ifjirold.  "  Ilnlw.ky  dof/ 
llial  I  Mill,  I  juri  nlvvMy-*  In  iii;.'in<.'  vxalioriH  upon  you. 
Hut  wlio  ('\('v  (-(Mild  «xp«  ict  timl  untoward  circiirri-itarKt's 
idioiild  oldif^r  UH  to  ndmit  tirn  (lc-prraf<'.  wn!t(!}i  into  (>iir 
jMiiUT'l'iil  commuiiily  ?  " 

"  PcHcelul    MO   Igii^jer ! "  sijrlK^'J    Uodn«'.y.      '*  I  u'ri   not 


>•} 


i<;o 


nil.  Ill  At<  iii'Mi  I' 


mu'o  llinl   tliily   nMjiiJn'^    in  nt>  ol'   im    (liiiit   (o   im^   Koini 
^Mulduorn  fo  roslotc   (hi'  mun  lo  n  lunliliv  «(!!(♦>  ol  mini' 
nuil    body  :    nti*)    iT    ««>   Und    nnr  rMiulM   nnMnccr'JHl'iil,   (« 
«l>Mn«lon  liini.  t\\\\\  (o  pursue  out-  own  (iumpiil  wny." 
"  Hni  rlt:niiv,  inv  tlcMr   I\oiIh<m  ."  sni>i»r-:(('i|    IImimM. 
"  ('liMiily    li.'H     iis    honutliu  V    oT    «ln(v,"     rcplii'tl     lii« 

Inil    looK  rn\iml.  would  i(    Im>  climil)' 
li<>o  (lirin   lo  t)   rol)li)>i'  niul  n 


»So  \:\v  \v 


II 


('   \\\\[  ;>o 


<o    our  ooinpMnioiH   (o  pnonlloo   (hrin   lo  u   iol>lu>r  iiiii 


innnlcror  r 


I 


OOl" 


Will 


:ii(1     ll!in>M.      "  ll    would    ItrcnK    liii 


\u'i\y{  (i>   l«'M\o  his  ImiIut  in   ihis   los(   oondilion.      Yi'l  wp 
nuisi  Mhvohilciv  K(M>p  (lu»  hoy  with  um," 

"  (u>d  lorhid   lh:»(  wo  shoiiM  Icmvo  ihc  Ind  in  mhcIi   IxkI 


«H>mi>Mn\ 


iMswmMJ    Kodiu'V  ;   "  miuI    ihnrloro    il    is   |Im< 


morr  nd\  i'.'ihh'  thul  wo  should  nol  wnil  lill  llw  renewed 
slnMi>>(h  or  Mililiee  ol'  ArnelilVe  should  wri'^l  ihe  hoy 
Innn   us." 

l^nt    lor    ninny    «1m\s    Ml'ler    (his    iln'    unlorlunMle    inaii 
r.'Uod    in   Ji   hiiih    lever.   Miid    wms   mThm  \\Mi'«h    ndueed    lo 


mioh    w<'Mkn<^ss    lliMl    (Men   spi'eeh  w:»s   deined    hiiu 


was 


kindh 


V    >»n«l    iudieiouslv    nuf^et 


1;   I 


Iln 

lis   s«ni    WHS  rnrely 


rths<Mit  TixMU  Ins  sido.  Mud  whih^  \\\  lliis  siMin  lh(»  hoy 
voiu\  |MU\<Ms  nnd  shorl  porli«M\s  of  Seriplme  \o  hiui, 
liopiufi  ihMl  lh«'  liiihl  ol'  Irulh  iniuhl  h(»  leMXiMl  in  him. 
It  uiighl  he  ih.U  n  jilejini  ol'  grace  fell  on  lln»  soul  of 
iho  siiilul  man  as  he  lay  1Ium-o.  suspended  hoi  ween  lil'o 
and  d<\'Uh  ;  lor  when  at  hMiglh  he  reoov«>i*od  iho  powor 
al"  sp<^eoh.  lu'  was  less  violeni,  and  ihon-'h  sullen,  did 
uol  ahsolulely  r(\senl  the  j^ood  olViees  ol'  hi^<  allendanls. 
"  \N  hat  an»  \o\\  all  iloin^i  hero  r  "  asked  he  of  Wil- 
hani.  "  What  do  tlu'se  grand  Trionds  ol'  yours  luoaii, 
(iisturhiiig  iho  iVoo  Indians  on  their  own  luintiiiK* 
givuiui*.    and    inoddling     wuh     umlters     tlioy    huvti     1)0 


0|f     mi'     IMM'KT     Mn|iNr\IN«. 


ini 


lMi''in»"'M  willi?  And  il"  yon  «liil  cohm'  !«»  t-iM  I;  m",  wIihI 
IMM>(|  wim  iIm'K'  Io  Inuijf  y«»ii  vvnnwn,  immI  llmt  iiiiHiifi;  i>U\ 
iniin  willi  yitii  P  " 


\ 


oil   know, 


rut  I 


KM' 


MIHWrr-'M 


Will 


IMIII. 


WO    wrrp 


tililtc   •  inii^niiil^   lo   ( 'iililoi  nlfi,  (iliko   wi«'rl<«'f1,  mimI   r»mt 

jlWIIV      on      MM      IlllkllOWll     ro(j-:(,     rconi      wIm'IMO     Wf      llMVM 

Irird  in  viiin  lo  |^m>I  I«»  ';oin«'  civili/iMJ  |iImc«".  TIip  ^m-h- 
lli'nwn  linvo  Immmi  very  kirn!  to  n-*,  or  iiniit.  nnd  old  Mr. 
()'K«mIIv,  III  liny  inl«',  wo.ild  linvo  <\\>'i\  of  rnniin*'.'* 

"  No  ^K'Ml  lo-JH  lliiil  would  liMvr  Imwii,"  UM-^W<rfd 
Arnrlin*!'.  "  Mow  did  you  i-vcr  «'X|m>(|  (o  j/»'f  fui  willi 
(lios»<  rloifM  nt  yonr  lu'id'^?  A  "!  now  wimf,  nir  you 
wiiilin^  on  llii'^  iiiiir  liill  lop  1/11?" 

"lill  yoii  MIT  Mld*<  lo  !»•  mov<d,  I'mIImm,"  rc(»li»'d  Wil- 
liiini.  *'  Mr.  Ifodnry  nnd  Mr.  ('lolton  iir*-  kind  mioiij/Ii 
to  di'ljiy  (HIT  d«'|»Mrl.iiift  lor  yivw  rrr  rtvny." 

'*  lid  iImmii  ('III  MVVMy,  llirn,  im  ■^oon  M'*  lli'y  lik«'."  'did 


llif    nnLn°Mri(MK    tiiMii. 


V 


on    cMii     ^Iny    willi    iric 


W. 


wMiil  no  wonu'ii  nor  lln«'  f<»'nlry 


Tl 


M'lr  ■<   if,>oiri  MMitiLrli 


in    liii^  i'vrr  foiinliy   lor  n  sloni    hid    lik>-  you  to  liv,  Jirid 
llirivo  vvillioiil  In  ||i." 


I  d 


on'l  wMiil    lo   live   like  a  ^MVMf^*' 


I'm  1 1 


icr,    Kfiu 


I   llifi 


Itoy.  "I  wMiil  lo  w<nk  ;  lo  rarn  iriy  living  liorifstly; 
to  lirip  otiii'is,  and  lo  wi-rvr,  (iod." 

'•  Voii'vi'  |»i«du'«l  tip  a  lot  of  KJavisli  noliorm  from  your 
mollirr  and  aiinl,  hid,"  rcpTn'rl  llif,  rMllirr.  "  A  d<al 
lliry  prolili'd  llicin  !  Onr.  poor  ("iraliin;  (had  ;  ii';  otIi'T 
II  ln'fj;^ar." 

'*  One  Im  already  liappy  ;   for  nlir  hvoh  i1i»;  fnco,  of  f /od," 

Riiid  WilliMtn,  wrepirij;.      "  Tlif?  olher   in  walking   in    the 

rigid    path,  and    working  out.  Iicr  nalvaliori,  tru-iting  in 

llim." 

TIm^  man     iiriicd   round   urie,a>ily,  anr)  ntiil   Uxt  wfiak 

14  « 


UVl 


Till',    UKAIMIIINTI  J{R 


M 


■! '  i ' 


■It' 


for  niiM'h  »>X('rli(>n.  siiitl  no  nuMc;  mnl  Willimn  pif»luM\ 
to  nMloct  how  lidlo  liis  ("nlluM"  liml  )iroli(i'(l  l»v  Hie  nlllic- 
(ior.H  («o<l  Iwiti  plrM^(<tl  (o  smd  luin.  In  u  Nmv  (Imvh  Im 
U'li'i  al)l(>  to  h'\\  op,  to  PMl,  iMiii  In  liilK  ;  but  Imm  sMr>^i<oo!t 
wcro  ot'  it]>iiuoM  ll»:U  he  \\(>;iltl  not  \v:ilk  litr  nmnlliM,  il', 
ln<\((^l.  Ill'  «'V(M-  i('oo»  (MimI  ii\i>  unliM'l  \\<o  ol"  tlio  liinl». 
TlxMi  \\\o  liM\('ll(Ms  l)('('!nn(>  M  lilllo  nnxitUH  to  hv\ 
oul,  tor  it  \vn><  now  the  v\\\\  ol"  M.'iri'li,  spiiiifr  liiul 
ootu\n<MU'»>il.  and  tl\ov  tlrcjulod  (I\mI  iIio  inclh^il  snow 
•(honlil  svM'll   the  sltj'anis,  ntitl   I't'nilrr  tlioni   inipMssnItlo. 

\Villi;»Mi  hiul  »li'<'ss(>(l  his  I'miIut  iVoni  Imm  own  scnni  v 
wanliol>(>.  Mud  on  u  tino  snnny  dny  tlicv  «'nni«Ml  liiin  on; 
(o  rest  on  :\  pilo  o{'  hr;»r>kins,  Mnd  rnjoy  llio  open  nir. 
All  OMnio  np  (o  roniiv:\lnl;U«'  lni\i,  ;\n<l  Srniton  al  on(M» 
s.'»i»l.  "  \V,'  :uo  filnd  to  soc  yon  convMlosront,  INIr.  Arn- 
olitr<',  lor  oiu  pjojiiTss  l\Ms  hvvu  M-xalion^ly  icttii'drd. 
WliMl  I'onrso  i\o  >  on  propos<>  to  pniviiio  r  " 

"  rh(M"o  st.'inds  my  own  hoi  s(>,"  nnswcrrd  ho;  "  nnd 
horo  is  nivown  >»in.  \ ou  c;\\\  tnrn  whioji  wjiv  vou 
v^|m>oso.'" 

"  Wo  inifiht  liMvo  doiK^  th:U  ihroo  works  .'\<!,o."  s!ii<i 
Mr.  l\otlu<\\,  "had  wo  not  boon  dotainod  by  a  (hiislian 
dnty.  Yon  di>  not  appear  to  bo  snilioij'ntly  liialolhl 
\ov  tbo  bonolits  whioh  a  nioiviTul  Ciod  luis  oxiondoil  to 
you." 

"Yon  hall-nnn'd(M>Ml  n\o."  irmtnbbMl  the  man,  "and 
\Wn  oxpoct  mo  to  t'»ll  down  and  worship  yon,  bo<*ans(» 
von  did  not  kill  u\c  iMitrijiht,  but  aro  so  kind  as  (o  \vi\rv. 
mo  a  oripplo  I'or  lil'e." 

"  You  ktunv  woll  onousili  tliat  was  all  fair  plav.  Am- 
olitVo."  said  liarold.  "And  I  toll  you,  yoiu*  8nvap;o 
friond'',  who  ran  olV  and  lotll  you  in  that  <hislardly  way, 
will  lianlly  take  you  back  now,  sick  and  iulirni.     Tiio^ 


1^ 


miMM^^^m 


oir    ruir    unruv    Mn|t\^TAlN«. 


1  {\:\ 


l»M.  il", 
lin\l>. 

s\u»w 

\\'.\  «>ui 
11    WW- 

,\\  onoo 
r.  Arn- 

i\n<l 
Mv  you 

,;'  sMiil 

;r:il('tu\ 
IuUmI   to 

'  !\n<l 

lnH'JVllSt* 

IV,  Arn- 

8HVn<iV 


h 


>v«y, 


wnti'l  liMV*  fi  Ihiih'  rliirf,  mi  il  wuiiM  It*'  wi-iT  lor 
ynii  lo  s(ny  minmir  ( Mnisliiiim.  Coiiu'  on  wifli  ih,  iidiii  : 
we'll  f«!j-^l  yoii  lo  Im>  our  i^uhI*',  )mhI  we'll  fnl<e  niro 
«'     >ou  ;   ntnl.   Hi     nil    evruN,     VVilliiim    »loe-4    iiol     jeiivr 

TIm'  mnn  ti^rowled  out  mhim'  wonh  in  n  «iiily  lonn, 
\i\\[  he  snw  lIlMt  lie  WIIM  |i<i\vei  |e-;>J  ;  lie^idiM,  ihere  \V>H 
II  ((iiei»  ill  flie  sli-)ii;.diiror\vMi<l  «leterfiiiMMlioii  if  ( !iori<in 
llltll  di^inniiefj  oppo-ilioii.  Ile<|l(l  liof  reply  llieii  ;  Idit 
when  nione  with  WilliMiii,  he  mid,  *'  H  I'd  heen  ji  hit 
stonier,  I'd  never  liMVe  sliiyed  wilh  llie-^e  lolk-  lo  he  )i 
nervunl.  hnl  there's  m  Iiiih'  y,'f  ;  there's  {rood  n;roniids 
beyond  the  mount)  ins,  if  we  were  onee  throiifjh  them  • 
JMil  we'll  hiive  to  he  m  <r<Mid  hit.  I'lirllu'r  sontli  hefore  w«r 
niMnM'ie  lliMl." 

Tnkin^  il  lor  grunted  Ihnl  Arnelin'e  must  neeom- 
i»M!:v  ihem,  mII  wms  nnide  rendy  The  Ii«ir-e,  whif  h 
.loiiii  hiid  s<»  eHrelnily  tended  iind  hron^rht  round,  llmt 
it  mi^dit  s<'rv<«  lor  n  |»«ek-horse,  was  now  ehiiiriet!  Ir» 
CMi'iy  ils  <»wner ;  iind  it  wms  relnetnMlly  th;it  he  <'on- 
sent<'d  thill  tlu'  hejir-skiiis  nnd  (wo  |x»rt'ii)inl<-.'inx  mIiouM 
Im«  nhin/j;  neross  it. 

Onee  more  (he  mHrcli  was  commen'red  ;  ArTielilT'e, 
moiintei!  on  his  liorse,  |e»din«>;  the  wjiy,  sii'len  hut  silent, 
\Nhihi  .John  iind  Diek,  fortcrin^jj  houw.  Hn^pi<'ion«<,  walked 
hy  his  h'hU%  vurU  carryinjjj  a  {riiti  as  well  as  his  u<nn\ 
hnrih'n. 

"  11"  iie  {r<'(s  JI  jfliir  of  (hem  hhiek    roirnf's  as   he.  wr  tm 

roiisor(in}r   with,"  snid   .Tohn,  in    r<Mifideri<',e,  (o   his   eom- 

p!ini(m,  "  wlia('H  (o  ail   him  ridinjj;  off  wilh    my  riHster'.s 

iMirtnmnth',  and   his  dressinjif-hox,  with  lols  of  /n(  ney  -n 

vm,  as  h(!*s  like  cikhi;;!!  (o  Inive  smeller!  out." 


II 


*'  s  a 


had 


roiiue 


Jol 


<n. 


JlllSWf 


red    Dick;    "  hu* 


\(y\ 


Tin:  UKAu-iniNTiiua 


Ih''s  iVarod  on  ih,  aiul  raniiol  lu'Ip  liiinscir.  ||<>  (.i(|cir(i 
Will  to  hand  hiiu  up  a  ;,'un  ;  liiil  our  (-ii|iliiin  woiiMii't 
houi*  of  llial,  'iu(i  sets  mm  on  to  kcrp  oin-  pii/,«»  in  low, 
yo  src,  lha('M  it.  vVml  ,Iolm,  man.  it's  our  duty  not  to 
let  liini  slip  CnHu  his  luuuiugH.*' 


:i!;M 


1111 


OK    I  UK    KOCKr    MOl'NTAINH. 


ICA 


c  ri  A  PI  10  u  X  V. 


fcrn(linn>  Ht  <(lnK<'m.— Tho  friiHlt'M  riirsiiif.  —  Lout  In  t'i«  M/un- 

tfli'.i.   -  I  (Hiiiin'   jiiid    I)»"ioInti()ii.  -  'I'lin   rccovcrful  Tinil.  — Tht 

Hall. --  I'lio   Hcnrlct   Sijriml.  —  A   Timiicl   tlir(»uf{li  tho  Snow. — 
KiMcnitfl. 

TiiK  firsl  djiy'H  jonrnoy  {jrodiicrd  hucIi  n  nip;!  of 
n^ony  io  AriK-lifrc,  tluit  even  tli(!  conipMHsiori  o^  Ir 
iml<)viii<;  ^iiMids  vvHH  awnkcncd  ;  juid  at.  the,  8«ij[^i,  'tioa 
of  IIuroM,  Dick  jind  Jolni  constructed  a  srnt  .i"  s*  'ij.» 
of  llic  dried  skin  of  llu;  <'lk,  lo  support  the.  injuN-d  .irnl>, 
and  extorted  from  iIk;  sullen  man  the  first.  «;  >  •^'  ,ion 
of  }];ratitiide  he  had  ever  uttered. 

FoHowin;^  his  j:^ui(hince,  the  [)arty  crossed  several  of 
the  lower  ridges  of  the  mountains  without  much  dilTi- 
cuhy,  and  then  tlujy  pro(!eed«Ml  south  throii^^h  a  lon;^ 
narrow  vall(!y,  where  they  were  concealed  from  ohser- 
vation,  and  where  j^ame  and  shelter  were  easily  found  ; 
hut  the  streams  that  fell  from  ahove  wee  numerous  ; 
and  at  every  one  there  was  diday,  fron  the  dilliculty 
of  crossing ;  and  for  many  days  the  {)rogress  was  slow 
and  tedious.  Tlnm,  deviating  from  the  valley,  they 
again  commenced  to  ascend  from  ridge  to  ridge,  in  a 
Bouth-cjist  direction,  gradually  rising  far  ahove  the 
])lains,  till  the  air  became  cold  a.s  winter;  yet  still  he- 
fore  them  lay  the  lofty  crests,  inaccessible  to  man, 
ihrough  which  they  must  find  a  pass  or  i)erish.  Their 
6ole  dependence  was  now  on  the  doubtful  knowledge 
of  Arndiffe,  as  they  now  perfectly  relied  on  hi.s  faith, 


anil 


\{\{\ 


ini    in  \ii  iM'Mi  MM 


Jar  -^  "'  ^ 


(>u;«nl-j  \u\  lono.iM  mino^c.l  Itiin  Im  ^^U»•^«tliM^  til  lii-*  »'uU\ 
Im»i  ).1\  Immi  \\Iii»I|>  1o  iIii<  tfiH'  ol  \\  illifiMi.  «lin  wtilln.l 
\^\  (li.>  h.»r«»«»,  l«Muuii>}»  «Ih»  xiui.MH  ItnltMii  iliiili'iM",  wlii.h 
l<n  f'Mihrr  R«'«'m.'il  ui^hl'dl  in  h-Mih  liini  ;  iim<I  (I\i>  I».»\, 
lll\\;«\'A  «'«»•«»«"«<  i)»  {\\o  iii<i|iii|i'tni'itl  ol"  know  l.'.liM'.  uiH 
^lh\<\  lo  Iivnn  ;)n>  thin^  lliiil  nii^hi  !)•>  ihi'IiiI  Io  IiIm  Im<i 


II' 


Ono  «lMy.  nOov  n  foiUmno  tHomt  in  t\  nmnMv  li'tli»o, 
rtlonji  \\\\u\\  \\w\  \v.Mi»  (o  nn».i>(>.l.  Ain.lini'  ili  >nii«iitilri| 
(.>   OMunino    \\w    \W\    M   \]]o    horso;   tux)    uli.n    llniuM 

"  \  on  n\u^(  mII  p.|^M  on:  (ln'l\oriO  li-i ;  ,n(  In  i  fool 
\\\\\\  !>  >-I\;\rp  '^(oin'.  Mn.l  I  rnnnoi  mIIokI  (o  li!»\t>  liim 
l.'UUt.l.  I  inn^l  1<>:\«1  lnn»  slowh  (o  (lie  ont<inn|Mni>nl. 
1\>  \on  soo  >on  divk  s|>o«  r  -  lh:»('i  it  rlinn|»  ol  |tini"5 -. 
jn-.(  i\>nn(l  U  \onll  \\\u\  m  umi  row  rlolU  Inrn  in  tln-io. 
{«n»i  wan  ;  Ml  bo  \\\\\\  von  «s  JuhI  im  u  Imno  hoiso  iintl  a 
l.'uno  in.in  »\m\  »'on<o." 

"You  juv  titflit.  Attu'lHro."  sMid  llMroM  :  "  \'\\\  dnlv 
jil:ul  (o  sot>  yon  so  hniujuio  Io  tl\o  poor  «'n'!ilnro.  Sliiill 
.K>lin   KvnK   <o  (1»<^  looi  :    ho  \\;\s  son»o  skill    \\\  viMoiimny 

"  i  kn*>\v  ns  nuicU  ;»hon(  m  horso  jis  lio  iloos,"  ri>j,|i,',| 
Iho  \instvi.»l  niMu  ;  ">ouM  luMtrr  got  on;  t\\u\  Will,  .Io 
you  oarrv  this  h«\'4w  poiMnv.nUoan.  it's  enough  to  hrojik 
tho  hrtok  ol'  :un   l>0:4>t." 


Willi:un  oho(Mt\»Uv  n  liov<>«l   tln^  MniniMJ  ol'  tho   I 


lO.MVV 


trunk,  «nti  tlxMi  waiio.l  jMtiontly  till  his  tMlhor  wm-^Iio.I 
tt>o  log  and  \u\\  sotno  hand;»g!'  round  it,  ol'lon  looking 
up  t'i>vm  his  (Muployiutnu  \o  watoh  tho  pi'ooossion  uiovo 
sK)wly  along  tlu'  narrow  pathway,  till  it  was  no  longrr 
♦  iMblo  in  tlu-  dim   light  ;  thou   turning   to   his   son,  he 


(Mr     MM'     ltn«  l<  t     MMI  N  I  US-i(. 


I  r,7 


M\i\ 


NiMv''i  my  fliiif       I'll    Im'  uiln  ynn    iijimim    \iiUtr9^ 


lllll(>,  IIIhI     ill)  II.  IM'II  k     MM<,  ^M    with     riif    v«iii     »|imII.        t'fll 

(iiiMJ  III    llii^  iiiitj)-,  mimI  imm^I  I»    mI)   ft  Itif." 


'11 


nil    M|i||||(M!||(    II|IMII    llli>    ||)I|MI>,    1(1'    (iMMllI    1111111(1,   HM< 


<l 


rtOt'i 


jiill 


|iMllM|iill!' 

u 


\tnt'[ 


k    II    IiIiIp  wm V,  (li-iM|i|i<  III < 'I    »'»iifi( 


I    M 


iiin    nil  M 


W 


llllMIII,       <<l|)    IIIIIMI'I  Ml 


^Vl 


III     iIm      I 


M     iM'fivy 


|Mii  liiitiiili'iiii,  |tiii-:ii«')|    liiin    ill   viiiii,  Millih{.r  iill<  r    liiiii    I'l 

|HlliMI>   litr  II    IIDIIIM'lll.         Win  II    he    M'M(  li'  ij    l||l>   •  |iol    wli'ro 

Imm  I'iiIIii'I'  IiihI  (li  .ii|i|ii'iiii<iI,  he  IoiiihI  iI   w.'m  m  ^/n|)  vvliich 


It'll     (jllWII     lo     M     I 


MW     VIllli    V 


Hull 


i»  r 


li(*    (I 


cufMl' 


I'd 


MM' 


fr(N-t('( 
IIJK'II'I 


I    il    I 


lll\ill|r      III      WM( 


I'        ll 


iiiMii'ii    It     (iv'i     '^wdlj'ri 


II' 


y   Willi  iiM'lIci!    MiKiw,  HUM    lli'ti  |)iii-ii(    nu  iijiwii 


'I. 


Illii'klv   WimmIi'iI     liMi'k     wliii  ll    llic    lioi-c     IiihI     I'll.        I'lil. 
iiilcr    inllowiiiir    llii-i    liiiil    l(»t'    nil    lidiir,   In     I'l- 1     il,   nnrl 


iM'niMir     l»('wiM('Hi|     III     llic    W'l'i'l 


il 


I'll,  'I'  -;|iiiii  iiij'    'I 


cvi'i"  niiiiiiij.',    ii|i  vvilli    li.^  Iiillicr,  lie  liiy  dcwn    'ivcrcdrrMi 
willi    I'lilimK",    HdiKMV,    Mild    Hlinmc,    iiii'l    wpl    «»v«  r    Iii4 


I'mII 


U'v'f*   (iIkI iiiiil)'    ('(iiiliiiiiMii'i     ill    evil 


IMl 


ii'iw    riM 


PMW  lii't  liillv  III  Ml!i'iii|)liii(jr  |(t  liillfiw  liiiri,  lor  riii.dit  wmm 
Ml  liiiiiil,  Mini  lii-;  llr<l  (Inly  kImmiI(I  Iimvc  Itcii  I'*  i''|iorl, 
lo  lii-t  jTiicMtii'!  IiicikU  ill''  IrcMclici  y  ui  llf  niMii  id 
wlnitii  IIk'V  IiikI  (-(iiifi(|(-(|.  Now  li<^  slunnk  icrri  IIk^ 
|tiiiiiriil  fM-^k,  im  lie  sl'ivvly  i(»-c  lo  rclurn  ;  l»iil  llic  -ij/ilif 
ol'  lli(<  |)(»ilMiMiil('Mii  rciiiiiKlf'i  liirn  IIimI  lie  w;i  >  KoiiimI 
lo  ichIoic  IIimI  III  IcMwl  l(»  llic  owner. 

'riicii  lie  looked  KMiiid  liiiri,  ;)ri(|  tried  in  vnin  to  fail 
n|ioii  \\\h  own  liHik,  nnd  lie  wMiidcicd  lo  nnd  fro,  till  at 
jeii'^lli,  r(»llowin;r  nil  openinjij  lliroiij!;li  llie  trees,  he,  ejirn**, 
oiil  «»r  iIh^  wood  ii|i(»n  a  wide,  huic  jutlin;^  r(»rk,  from 
tilt"  ed^o  ol*  which  he  looked  down  ii(»on  liii;/;e  fr M;.';rneritji 
of  i'C(^k,  and  lihiek  iinlnlhoinahle  h(;ll('WM,  fillin(j^  a  va-it 
ravine,  Ixryond   which    roH»!  ariolh'r  Mtnpend(»nH  wall   <>i 

disniiil     and    Mwe.-irH|)iriri;^    ^(Aitwlc. 


roc 


1 1, 


was    a 


ir.H 


Till':    Ml<  AK-III'N  IMid 


'  * 


^1 

II 


\VilliMiu   ut)4   not   H  cowiinl,  liiit   liin  limit   Mink   at  llif 
"  Am    I    !i1>Mii«lo!\(>t|    Miul     loHi    in     lliin    uil(l«Mfi»".M/ 


(luMljilll     lit 


N\  ill    inv    liiiiM'M   Im<    jrl't    lo   wliilni    lir 


nn^oiiu'il    i»n«l    unrMrnl    lor!      I  low    slmll    I    l"t>   iililf    lo 


lictn*  \\m  liriMiiJIiil    lotulv   ilralh  ? 


II 


('     \\r|)|      Itillcflv 


(ill  ho  i«'inrml»i'r<'«l  (Jod  IimiI  siiiil,  "  {''I'lir  inti,  Im-  I  nni 
Willi  |Ihm»."  An«l  Im'  ri'pi'tilrti  nloiiil,  tliongh  lio  tniii- 
Mnl  lo  li(';n'  his  own  \ftic««  til  llrsl,  — 

"  Vc.'i.  ihoiijih  I  \\:\\k  iliiiMinli  i|ii>  vnlifv  <>l  iho 
shinlow  ol'  (h>Mlh,  I  will  ('rrir  no  r\il.  lor  Tiioii  Mil  wiili 
nn' !  "  Tiirn,  wilh  stnMi^ilhoncMl  liiith  ho  Inrind  loirk, 
hcndinjx  hononlh  his  «Minil>roim  hnnlcn.  Mo  roiiM  lutl 
ronuMuhi  I-  miiv  lurn  ho  h:nl  ImKoii  wIioii  pnisiiiiijr  liir* 
llilhor,  -  lu'  know  nol  whoihor  ho  (oiihi  rsojipo  \\y 
p!'00(>o«hn«i  norlh  or  south,  nor,  hiiriod  m>^  ho  wii-^  !nnitUl 
rook»<  antl  piiu's.  .'ind  llu»  snn  liMvin^  sunk,  whoihor  ho 
farod  tho  omsI  or  wo>l  ;  Mnd  n  »'old  loar  ojinu'  ovor  him 
tliMt  (^orv  slop  h(>  took  mijihl  ho  phin;:in;j;  him  doopor 
into  iho  monnlains,  tnrlher  iVom  his  iViomls,  and  i»oar«'r 
to  divstniolion. 

11(>  haltod  in  an  a<r»Miy  ot'  donhl  ;  nnrorlnnaloly  ho 
had  wo  iiun  ti>  lir<»  a  sijjnal  ;  hiil,  l«'(Iinj>:  assnrod  ihat 
his  taithlnl  tri<'nds  would  ho  in  i«oaroh  of  him,  ho 
shout»>d  l«>nillv  ;  th<>  surroundin;;  rlills  o.  hood  hack 
his  orios  ;  hnl  iu>  voio«^  answered.  Ilo  had  dox'cndoil 
into  a  hllU'  iu^llow,  and  now  (h'positinj;  his  hoavy  load 
honoath  a  olid',  ho  walk(>d  round  to  lind  a  oonv«'iiiont 
oniU»t;  hnt  nono  appoarod,  —  lu)  path  to  onoonraj^e 
him  to  liopo.  He  saw  that  ho  mnst  again  olimh  to 
i\s04ipo  iVotn  t!iis  hole;  hnt  on  which  sitlo  to  jvseond  he 
conld  not  ilotormino.  At  length  wo.aricu  and  dis- 
tracted, he  lay  down  npon   the  por  mantean,  ami  evi;n 


OK    I  III     HrirKr    MoitNlAINR. 


169 


i<    lo 
It'vly 

I     ItlH 

iniu- 

r  tiw 
!»«•  »»y 

«  r  lu' 
•  liiiM 

«ly   lui 

■iiu,    lt«^ 
I    bnrk 

\iy,\d 


|V( 


ni«'nt 


|'oura}i;e 
I)  to 
I  he 

liil   ilis- 
(l  oven 


\n\ 


l(>Ui 


«l><|>l.   nntwilli^liiii*lin^r   Mm    itMinliil    i'<>lli'('lion<«,  aui\    Mh 
friuliiriil    linwlirp'4   mimI    vimrn  ol'    wild    Immi^N  on   I'vrii 


HKK 


TiiP   li^lil    mC  iiiMrniii^  iivvoKf*   liiiii,   IhiI    n   tliii  k    riiiMt 
liiil    llir   Sim   lium   liin  ^ii'lil,  atitl    lie    kiM'vv    ?i(»l    wIimIi 


Wll 


V   III    lnk)>  ;   lull,  nl 


rvriil»«,    III'     IihhI     Inivi'     lii( 


Imllnw.  !(••  Hiririiiri'  Hi'Irrli'il  Ili««  side  rasii'-^l,  »»f* 
A-in'iil,  Mini,  ilrii^i;itii{  liin  liiinlrn  nflir  liiin,  slowly 
iittiiiiM>il  II  liiinrii,  (Ircaiy  Kpnl,  limki'ii  liy  ilrcp  iImhiih, 
wliirli  |»rrvi'iilri|  liitii  »'iiMHin<r  il  ;  wliilo  nroiiriil  rf»«i 
imiiMMinn  wiilh  of  rock,  from  wliirli  liiij^r  f'i)i;^mriil>!  IdmI 
rnljcii  ami  rnrmiMl  miiiinliii-i*  imiiitilaiiH,  tliat  alimnt 
rnridiiii'  I'liillirr  |»rojrr««sM.  Snini'limrw  (lir  immPi-R  of 
nw'k,  laiirn  niii'  ii|i(iii  aituliiiT,  wi-ii-  sii  [»rp«*nri(»ti-ly 
linlanri'il  (litit  il  Hirmcil  lo  str|i  upon  iImmii  would  hii 
lo  ovnilirow  llirm  ;  yrf  IIm*  moss  nnd  lirliirH,  nnd  llii' 
I'ootH  of  rlimliiii)^  slinilis,  liiid  trally  lioiind  IIh-o'  mass(v4 
Ko  firmly  lo^illirr  lliiit  Wiilijim,  i-xpiTliiij^  v.vcvy  mo- 
mriil  lo  III'  liiirlcd  and  critslinl,  was  mMc  lo  cro-is  llicm 
salriy  lo  rracli  oim  of  lliir  clia^ms  wliicli  si'inu'd  Ii-sh 
dilliciill  llian  llii!  rrsl,  lo  di'scrnd.  Yil  i-vrn  lliis  wjh 
liltir  brlfri*  lliaii  ii  picripiloiis  wall,  ovrr^rowri  with 
hushes,  which  had  no  olhcr  soil  lo  spring  from  hiit  the 
aiiciiMit  mos.M  which  (dim;;  trnarioiisly  lo  ihr;  rock. 
(lra«|'in^  Ihcso  hu.dii'H,  afirr  first  flin^in;;  t\u'.  fiort- 
manlcHU  down  hcforc  him,  ho.  dfisccndi'd  to  anolhfr 
hollcw,  which  he  had  no  sooner  reaclicfl  than  twf» 
d(jcr,  alarmc  Ity  the  iiistliii;^,  hounded  pa-l  him,  and 
n}];air.  he  deeply  regretted  ihe  want  of  a  ;fim  ;  for  the 
pains  of  hun;ier  were  now  added  to  his  tronhleH,  and 
even  the  dark  pines  that  overhung  tlif;  rocks  seemed 
to  he  harri'ii,  for  not  a  cone  lay  beneath  them,  eji 
which  the  boy  uii^ht  have  made  a  bn.akfaht. 

15 


Km' 


.   .1' 

■ 

(      1 

'1 

M'l 


170 


rm.    HI-.AK-llt  NTI'.UH 


SickoiuMl  willi  fuinino  and  disMppoiiilmcMf  for  a 
Miotiicnt  lie  V.  islu'd  to  Vw  <lo\vii  nnd  di(;  •  but  n<;.*iiii  his 
iaitli  revived,  and  lie  forced  his  way  upwards  on  the 
oppo>itc  side  of  \ho  hollow,  till  he  <'ain<'  to  a  spot 
wiici'e  some  hioken  hranches  arrestecl  his  attention. 
l''ia<z;erly  he  lo(»ked  round;  he  peis<'vered  in  lindiii;^  the 
track,  he  followed  it  over  a  rid^e,  l'ancyin<^  <»ver^ 
moment  he  canj>;ht  sij^ht  t)f  sonu'  familial'  object  ; 
finally,  ho  descended  into  the  valley  which  he  had 
first  cross«'d  in  pursuit  of  his  father  the  precedin<j^  day. 

Ihjt  he  now  saw,  with  dismay,  that  the  riv«'r,  «;reatly 
swoll(M»,  nearly  filled  the  vallev,  and  he  feared  he  shoidd 
he  utterly  unahU"  to  cross  it.  Sinc»'  tlu'  mi>fortiMie  of 
the  wreck,  hi;  had  learnt  from  his  friend  Croflon  to 
nwir.i  a  little,  and  wouM  not  have  been  alVaiil  to  fijee 
the  difficulty,  but  for  the  incumbrance  of  tlu^  port- 
manteau, whi(  h  he  could  not  make  U|)  his  kuikI  to 
leave  bchiiid  him.  He  earrieil  always  in  his  Ixdt  a 
knife  and  small  axe.  lor  llu'  conveniencv  (d'  clearing 
the  way  in  the  woods,  and  with  these  he  resoiutely 
set  to  work,  to  ioj)  j)i.ie-branches,  and  to  cut  down 
the  rushes  that  fjrew  near  the  water,  to  form  a  rude 
raft.  It  was  a  tedious  labor  for  one  not  accustomed  to 
mechanic  arts ;  but  Dick  had  taught  Mike  and  him  the 
use  of  tools,  and  employed  them  to  assist  him,  so  that 
he  was  not  wludly  ijjjnorant. 

What  a  roiijih,  stranirc,  malted  mass  was  that  ves>el 
of  burden  when  at  length  it  was  fcarlully  laimchcd.  A 
titroiiL;  cord,  which  the  ixxkct  of  a  liov  randv  fails  to 
produce,  was  attached  to  it,  that  it  niinlit  be  towed  to 
hmd  if  found  water-worthy.  And  it  floated  !  rollin«» 
Awkwardly  enough  about  in  tho  rapid  stream  cer'  inly, 
I  It  it  really  Hoated.     Then   William  took  otF  his  owii 


OF    Tin:    KnrivV    MOUNTAINS. 


171 


'    a 

h'tfi 

r  the 
very 
>j«<(M  ; 
\vm\ 
(lay. 
icntly 

;1U)UU1 

WW  <>r 

on    to 

()  luce 
!    ^ort- 
\\\A   to 
belt   :i 

(.lUtcly 
,lown 
;v  nule 
urvl  to 
■\in  the 
o  that 

\  CS>L'l 
r.l.  A 
it':iil^  to 
\\\ci\  to 

roUinj^ 

|r«  in^y. 
lis   owii 


cIoil.eH  to  place  on  the  itorliiiaiih'aii,  whirh,  hy  its  own 
Btraps,  he  seciircd  llnnly  ujxui  the  Hoat  ;  and  after  a 
pr«y<'r  for  aid  in  hss  undertaking:,  lie  phMi;:<'d  into  the 
water,  holiUn;;  the  conl,  and,  slrn;^;;rnii:  liirou^^h  the 
I'naniin'i;  lorifMit,  endeavored  to  suini  across,  ever,  a» 
he  <:rew  wtary,  restin;^  his  hand  on  the  rait,  whiith 
dril'te*!  a»;ros8  the    lev«  I   vaih'j,  and  down   tlie  hcd   iti) 


own   waters 


iiad 


worn 


to  tl 


K;    V(!r 


vulim  on   whu 


h   I 


le 


had  parted  with  his  friends.  Then,  eatchin<:  at  the 
overhan;^in|^  h<m;^hs,  lie  was  ahh;  to  <;ain  the  south 
si«le  of  the  river,  and  draw  his  raft  to  hind  in  timer  to 
pave  it  from  hein;^  whiiled  over  a  newly  fornu;d  cata- 
ract wliich  poure<|  down  to  the  plain  hejow. 

Kxhausted  hy  his  eUluts,  and  enfeehled  iiy  fastin 
he  lay  down  on  the  stony  ridge  for  numy  minutes, 
iucajtahle  of  thought  v)r  action.  Then  he  arose  and 
dress(;d  himself,  for  tin;  (-ol  I  evenin^j;  had  come  on, 
and  he  shivered  from  w«'akne,>s  and  famine.  Jle  en- 
deavoH'd  in  vain  in  the  dim  li^dil  to  mak(!  out  the 
dark  spot  lo  which  his  treacherous  hither  had  directed 
Ilia  benelaelors  ;  and  wh(;n  la;  failed  to  see  it,  h<;  said 
to  himself,  "Shall  I  survive  till  another  mornin;^ 
dawns  to  show  me  the  spot  ?  Shall  I  ever  reach  it? 
and  alas!  shall  1  then  find  the  dear  friends  1  have 
lost?" 

He  unstrapped   the  portnumteau  from   the  raft,  and 
found  heneath  it  a  urood-sized  tish,  resemhliiiii  a  trout. 


n 


entanL'led  in  the  nwitteo  fahrie.  lie  snatched  it  yet 
struggling  from  the  unsafe  snare,  and  securcid  it  far 
from  th(?  wal<M'.  'J'hen  he  kneeled  down  to  thank 
(Jod  for  this  bounty.  His  energy  was  ren(!wed ;  he 
collected  scattered  twigs,  lighted  a  fire  and  broiled, 
or    rather    heated    his    precious    fish,    for    he    Iwid    not 


<2^_^ — ^ 


I  ■:. 


till 

m 

I  Kill 

If 
'?4iiii 

am 

'  ''lulli 

I 

'     I    I  f 


171 


THE    BEAU-IIUNTKIIS 


n 


patience  to  wait  till  it  was  cooked.  He  made  a 
JK-ju'ty  supper  on  half  his  provision,  longing  to  eat  the 
whole,  but  prudently  refraining,  lest  by  excess  he 
should  render  himself  unfit  for  further  work.  Then 
lifting  up  his  voice  and  heart  to  the  Giver  of  good 
things,  he  lay  down  on  the  solitary  mountain-side, 
and  slept  in  thankfulness. 

As  soon  as  morning  broke,  he  looked  out  for  his 
landmark,  which  ajjpeared  more  distant  than  he  had 
expected  ;  but  after  breakfasting  on  the  remainder  of 
his  fish,  he  felt  ready  for  his  work  ;  and  shouldering 
his  burden,  set  out  cheerfully.  The  sun  was  pleasant ; 
but  the  streams,  flowing  from  the  rocks  above,  rendered 
the  road  tedious,  and  it  was  long  before  he  i)lainly  dis- 
tinguished the  dark  clump  of  pines  at  the  side  of  a  lofty 
peak.  This  he  concluded  must  be  the  place  for  the 
encampment  which  his  father  had  indicated,  and  he  pro- 
ceeded briskly.  But  humble  as  his  nnture  was,  he  could 
not  help  feeling  surprise  and  disappointment  that  he  had 
not  met  with  any  of  liis  friends  searching  for  him. 

''  I  thought,  perhai)s,  Mike  and  Dick  might  havf 
come,"  said  he  to  himself.  "They  might  have  fired 
signal  guns  to  direct  me.  But  they  may  have  thought 
that  I  had  been  base  enough  voluntarily  to  desert  with 
my  unfortunate  father." 

At  length  he  reached  the  tn^es,  and  looked  round 
anxiously  for  the  cleft  which  the  travellers  had  been 
directed  to  enter  ;  but  he  sought  in  vain.  There  cer- 
tainly appeared  to  be  a  rent  in  the  rocks  a  few  yards 
beyond  the  pines  ;  but  this  crack  was  filled  still  with 
the  snow  of  winter.  He  walked  onward  for  some  dis- 
tance, but  the  wall  of  rock  continued  unbroken,  nor 
eoulu  he  any  longer  see  the  track  of  his  friends. 


:Jii': 


^J 


OF    TIIK    UOCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


17i 


y  dis- 

i  lofty 
or  tlie 
le  pro- 

;  could 

hav€ 
rircd 
liouj^lit 
t  with 

rounil 
been 

yariU 
il  with 
hie  dis- 

n,  nor 


lie  I  ausetl  to  consider  j  then  lie  recolltcted,  in  j^rea 
alarm,  that  it  was  very  uiuisual,  at  this  ^;eason,  to  set 
snow  on  these  lower  ridg<js,  and  he  turned  back  to  ex 
amine  the  snow-filled  ereviee  a^ain.  The  sun  was  now 
powerful,  and  the  upper  surface  of  tlie  snow  was  mrit. 
ing  find  flowing  over  the  ridge  ;  but  he  saw  that  no  beci 
was  v/orn  over  it,  as  if  (here  was  usually  a  river  Iirre 
in  the  spring.  He  IooU'mI  upward  at  the  clifls  wliich 
overhung  the  ereviee,  which  seemed  covered  with  smooth 
j)erpetual  snow,  and  observed  that  the  upper  surface  of 
that  whicb.  «,vas  aecumuhited  Inflow  was  rough  and 
broken,  and  the  startling  ([uestion  arose  in  his  mind, 
"  Could  this  have  been  an  avalanche  ? "  If  so,  he 
trembled  to  think  on  tiie  consequences. 

As  he  gazed  on  this  perplexing  irregularity,  he  was 
struck  by  the  sight  of  something  red  floating  in  the 
wind  ;  and,  weary  as  he  wa,s,  he  threw  down  the  trunk, 
and  commenced  climbing  up  the  snow.  Uidike  the 
rocky  wall  which  bounded  the  ledge,  it  lay  somewhat 
sloping,  and  w''h  a  stout  stick,  and  his  knife  to  cut 
steps,  he  succeeded  in  moiniting  about  a  hundre<l  feet 
above  the  ground,  and  then  in  making  his  way  over  the 
wet  and  slippery  snow  towards  the  patch  of  red  which 
had  attracted  his  attention. 

As  soon  as  he  ap[)roached  it  he  uttered  a  cry  of  min- 
gled terror  and  joy,  for  he  recognized  a  red  handker- 
chief belonging  to  his  cousin  Mike,  which,  was  nailed  to 
a  spar.  "  Dick  has  nailed  it  !  They  must  be  alive ! 
But  where  are  they?"  he  exclaimed,  as  he  attemj.ted  to 
draw  out  the  flag-staff.  He  found  it  was  of  great 
length  ;  but  at  length  he  succeeded  in  extracting  it. 

He  knew  the  pole  to  be  one  liiey  had  used  for  tlie 
litter;  it  was  abou*  eighteen  feet  in  'ength ;  but  he  wai 

15* 


I'V 


!M 


174 


TlIK    HKAI«-inJNTr,R3 


Bure,  if  his  friends  were  livirfg,  tlxy  must  be  lower  in 
tlie  snow  than  tluit.  After  a  little  reflection,  he  took  a 
leaf  from  his  pocket-lx)ok,  and  with  a  pencil  wrote  upon 
it,  "Can  I  help  yon?  W.  A."  This  he  tied  in  the 
handkerchief  signal,  and,  inverting  the  \)o\ii,  again 
inserted  it  into  the  opening,  gradually  lowering  it  till  the 
whole  had  entered,  driving  it  forward  with  his  own 
stick.  Suddenly  his  stick  slipped  from  his  hands,  and 
slid  out  of  sight,  and  he  trusted  his  message  was  on  the 
way  to  the  captives  below. 

A  long  delay  followed;  then  the  w<'lc()me  red  aifual 
slowly  rose  again,  an<l  he  l)asten<*d  to  read  the  note 
whieh  it  contained,  which  was  in  the  writing  of  Mr. 
Uodney. 

"  Draw  uj)  the  pole ;  a  rope  is  attached,  and  a  spad(» ; 
yo'.i  must  drag  it  through,  and  then  both  try  to  enlarge 
the  opening." 

From  this  he  saw  that  flwy  eoncliKled  his  fallicr  was 
still  with  him;  he  did  not,  however,  waste  tin\e  in 
attempting  any  explanation  ;  he  drew  up  the;  pole,  and 
fixed  it  firmly  in  the  snow,  till  he  cautiously,  and  with 
great  tixertion,  drew  up  the  rope ;  but  the  resistance  (»f 
the  hard  snow  Ixdow  made  it  very  diHicult  to  get  the 
fjpade  safely  brought  through.  At  length  it  appeared  ; 
and  seizing  it  with  gteat  joy,  he  began  at  once  to 
Mork  at  the  hole  which  its  pas>age  had  already  en- 
larged, throwing  the  snow  behind  him  as  he  pro- 
ceeded. 

He  formed  an  opening  of  about  two  feet  in  diameter, 
and  managed  very  well  to  throw  up  the  snow  till  he 
ii.id  sunk  it  four  feet  deep,  riien  th<'  <liHicidty  was,  how 
Ui  Jl.^pt  se  c*'  the  sh(>velled  snow.  If  h(!  had  had  a 
comiia:;.on,  they  might  have  divide<l  the  labor;  but  th« 


li' 


<"••    Tin.;    ROCKY    MOtNTAiNS. 


175 
'"(■ns.^ ;  i.,„|  |,e  „„,,  ,■  .,  , .      "" '  "^  ■""""   «as  i,„. 

«"'  """.e,  and  ,.,.„„st  Z^t!'''  ^""-^'^  '''"e^  "  I 
■-»«  food,  or  I  cannot  work  "  rr  \  '""  '^""  "•« 
''r  "'f  rope,  and  wa!„.d  .         •  ""'''  ""■'  I«'I'<t 

"-.  .bo  we,V,„  „„,  ,„  „  ;       -   --   r-lo-    .l,an 
""'  "'as  at  last  ended  I,.,  r    "''^■'«'''!  and  wl,„n  Ids 

""'  '-..o  ,-,.„„  k ,  ;  V"""'  ","""'"■'' '"  ""■  ■■"'- 

«-"o-e„v.r„d;,."       r'"'  "'-''"'-'.   «ld,.l, 

"I'll  (lie  snow  if  K...I 

'''"  Pa^'-ing  lliron^h  of  fl,; .  i 
-vr,  (;„.„,,.,,  „  „„„,,..:,,    ""■',  '■;'■""  vessel  had,  |,„„. 

"-v,,s  . 00  . eak  ;„  4  'To     ':;■•"'?"  .''^'''"'•'>'>1<- 
"f  'l-'  dried  ,„,,,!  .,,„    ',„  "'    ''"  '""'  *■«'  h-^iwilv 

«"rks  well."  ^     ■   ''""'••'■  ''"»■"  'lie  keiile,-    it 

'il'o  kettle  was  drawn   „„  „,„,  ,, 
'■'■■"'"•ins  a  Roou  ,1,.,|  „,•      '         '  *"""  «■"  ''-al  limes, 
'Villiara  call,:,,  ^  ,   '  '    ';""7  ''''-''  '■^•"  '-low.  „„.n' 
'-"  l-low  M  ,lis,,„j  „,  ';;:■„"'"  -'-<><»vn,,,ave  y,  , 

n.e  answer  was  favoraI,|e  •  „,„i  i 
"".'■•  -""i'V"  a  resiin,.,,,.,,.     ;;,".  ''!  "'"^  -"^'-'I       - 
-'"-"•».  «3    lie    deseemled      l'  f'""""  ""' ^'■'      '> 

"asworkinsu,wa,     a"       •  '""""  '"''"•"  ^''^    " ''" 

'yo^SXcv:::: '''''•;■■•'•  ••--'■"^'•...■..  .an, 

"^-     ^"^^  ^'«"H'  down  and  see 


i     '  :  W 


■:'i\ 


i  : 


Bill    iiJ*ii 


,;      ;l     'I 


I 
I 


170 


THK    IIKAU-IIIJNTKHS 


our  jsiil,  and  then  we  must  wel^h  anchor  and  s^il,  be- 
fore anotlier  broadside  strikes  us." 

The  next  minute  William  had  descended  into  the 
midst  of  the  pale,  agitated  captives,  who  wept  as  they 
welcomed  the  blessed  light  of  heaven,  from  which  they 
had  been  so  long  shut  out. 

"  Sure,  Will,*'  said  Mary,  "  wasn't  I  tlie  girl  was  tell- 
ing you'd  be  saking  us  out;  barrin*  yer  father  wasn't 
tying  ye  up,  and  himself  the  man  to  be  sendin'  us  all 
into  this  same  snare  and  pitfall,  God  forgive  him  for 
that." 

"You  are  wrong.  Cousin  Mary,"  replied  William; 
"my  father  could  not  foresee  the  fall  of  the  snow, 
though  he  certainly  sent  you  forward  that  he  might 
tempt  me  to  make  off  with  him,  or  at  all  events,  to  be 
ready  to  join  him.  But  that  could  net  be  ;  though  it 
half  broke  my  heart  to  see  him  so  set  upon  a  had 
course.  1  even  ran  after  him  till  I  was  quite  lost,  and 
have  wandered  about  these  three  days  trying  to  fall  into 
the  road  again,  hungered  and  wearied,  and  terrified  that 
I  should  never  see  you  again.  Hut,  God  be  praised, 
that's  over ;  and  now  the  sooner  you're  out  of  this  dark 
prison,  tiie  better." 

The  travellers  had  been  sheltered  in  a  spacious  lofty 
cave,  which  was  now  half  filled  with  the  snow  which 
they  had  thrown  in  to  open  a  way  of  escape  ;  no  won- 
der all  looked  pale  and  ghastly,  enclosed  for  three  days 
in  this  dark  and  dreary  dungeon,  with  little  hope  ot 
ever  escaping  from  it. 

But  now  further  explanations  and  details  were  de- 
ferred till  they  should  be  safely  extricated  from  their 
painful  position.      First,  the  women  and  the  old  man 


OF  rm-:  kooky  MfHTNt-viss. 


177 


wen-  assistttl  from  step  fo  st«'p  lill  ilu'y  ivju'hctl  tlir  Any 
Ihe  rest  followed  cautiously,  lest  they  sliould  displaee  the 
snow  above.  Harold  iusistcd  on  reinainiii;^  to  share 
with  Dick  the  last  duty  of  sendinjj;  up  the  heavy  l»a;.'':a^e. 
They  attached  the  cumbrous  boxes,  kettles,  and  baskets 
to  the  rope,  and  as  they  were  hauled  up  they  stru<'k 
and  grated  aj^ainst  the  walla  of  ih(!  tunnel,  threatening 
to  bring  down  anof'  er  avnlanclu*  on  the  bnue  men 
below.  But  thouj^h  portions  fell  upon  them,  and  the 
water  streamed  from  the  upper  surt'ace,  rendering  the 
ascent  every  moment  more  dKRcuIt,  after  sliding  hack 
several  times,  they  happily  reached  their  friends,  well 
drenched  with  wet,  and  were  soon  once  more  down  on 
the  stony  ledge  froan  whence  they  had  diverged  into 
that  unlucky  cieft. 


:7S 


TJIR    fiF.AR-HUMTEBM 


1  = 


4 


'il.i 


hniir*' 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

William'f   Kxplanation.  —  The  ThIc  of  Horror.  —  Buriol  alive  - 
Tliree  ( iiys  in  tlie  Snow.  —  The  Murcit'iil  Kchcuo.  —  Climbing  the 
Mountains.  —  The  Fiery  Eyo.  —  Tlie  Indian  Ciuidti. 

ONCii  in  safety,  the  nssembled  frientls,  wearied  with 
their  extra*  '-diiiary  labors,  were  glad  to  sit  down  on 
iiieir  packages  and  listen  to  William's  sorrowl'ul  tale. 

"  I  think  my  lather  vas  tired  of  the  monotony  of  our 
life,"  he  added ;  "  he  labored  under  the  idea  thiH  he  was 
a  captive,  and  he  desired  to  be  fr<;e." 

"  What  h»;  wants  is  to  fetch  them  Injuns  down  on  us, 
and  carry  otr  our  guns  and  jiowder,"  grumbled  Dick; 
••and  as  8urc  as  death  he'll  do  it.  But  you  could  make't 
no  better,  I'd  ;  it  were  an  awkward  job  ;  and  if  ye'd 
had  a  gun  ir.  your  hand,  it's  not  to  be  thought  as  how 
ye  could  have  shot  your  own  father." 

"  Don't  speak  so  liardly  on  him,  Mr.  Marlin,"  said 
Will.  "I  don't  think  he  means  any  harm  to  them  that 
eaved  his  life ;  he  sto{)ped  to  deliver  up  to  me  Mr.  Crof- 
ton's  portmanteau,  which  1  have  brought  safe  to  him, 
thank  God." 

"  My  dear  la<l,"  said  Harold,  "  it  was  not  worth  while 
that  you  should  run  the  risk  of  breaking  your  back  tc 
preserve!  these  garments  «»f  civilized  life.  I  could,  tjjongh 
unwillingly,  have  dispensed  with  them  in  these  regions 
where  a  scanty  wanlrobe  is  the  f»pproved  fashion.     Still 


OK   THK    lU^CKY    MOUNTAINS. 


179 


I  have  some  lingering  prejudices  in  the  matter  of  m^ 
toilet,  and  a  fear  eomes  over  nie,  William,  where  is  my 
dressing-ease  ?  " 

The  boy  turned  pale,  and  clasping  his  hands,  crird 
out,  '*  I  >e{'.  how  it  happened,  sir,  it  was  hidden  beneath 
the  bear-skins  which  were  spread  over  the  horse.  I 
teel  >ure  lie  did  not  mean  to  rob  you." 

**  Nevertheless  it  was  a  eonv<'nient  portable  booty," 
sighed  Harold.  "  All  my  gold  and  valuables,  and  alas! 
all  my  razors  and  brushes!  all  the  little  requisites  with- 
out which  civilized  malt  sinks  into  a  savage !  all  gone! 
Kheu !  I  am  now  a  red  num." 

Rodney  laughed  as  he  said,  "  We  must  use  my  slen- 
der toilet  requisites  in  common,  Harold,  at  least  such 
tts  are  necessary;  but  who  needs  a  razor  in  our  wild 
lite?" 

William  remained,  however,  deeply  mortitied  ;  the 
dressing-case  was  fitted  with  silver,  and  was  valuable, 
independent  of  its  contents;  and  though  he  did  not  him- 
self believe  that  his  father  was  knowingly  a  thief,  yet 
he  felt  assured  that  such  was  the  opinion  of  Captain 
Scruton,  and  he  feared,  of  John  and  Dick. 

"  Never  think  more  of  it,  boy/'  said  Harold,  goo<l- 
naturedly.  "  I  have  bills  of  exchange  in  my  pocket-book 
that  will  enable  us  to  pay  our  way,  if  we  ever  arrive  at 
the  regions  where  money  is  available ;  and  I  shall  be 
no  worse  for  coughing  it  a  little  without  eau  de  Cologne, 
or  {)omade  regenerative  to  waste  on  my  already  profuse 
curls.  Certainly,  I  should  like  a  pair  of  scissors;  luit  I 
Bee  your  aunt  has  a  comely  pair  depending  from  her 
girdle,  which  she  will  lend  me  for  all-work.  Two  days 
ago,  when  we  were  buried  alive,  how  lightly  i  should 
have  rr^garded  these  privations." 


180 


TIIK    KKAK-IirN TKUrt 


M 


411  % 

Mm 

.   T  t'll  1 


William  sIiikMitimI,  as  Ik;  thought  on  th<'ir  situation 
then. 

"  Ay,  ay,  lad,"  said  Dictk,  "  it  were  had  to  hide  ;  but 
things  is  never  so  bad  hut  they  might  be  worser.  It"  it 
had  falTn  atop  on  us  as  we  tiled  info  yon  ereelt,  we'd  all 
have  been  erushcd  as  flat  as  a  floiuider  atore  we'd  kn(>wn 
what  ailed  us.  Hut,  ye  see,  we'd  lighted  on  that  there 
dark  hold,  and  stowed  away  our  freight,  and  thought  as 
how  we'd  rig  it  up  for  a  night's  lodging,  and  John  and 
me  we'd  fet  lied  in  a  heap  of  dry  stieks  lor  a  lire.  And 
just  then  that  unlucky  lad  Pat  he'd  been  elanjbering 
and  tugging  at  a  hush  reet  over  again  our  place  alter  a 
bird's  nest,  when  down  he  drops,  and  /uns  in  shrieking 
out,  '  It's  all  eoming  down  ; '  and,  sure  enough,  that 
very  minute  enme  a  row  lik(;  thunder,  and  tl»e  ground 
we  stood  on  shook,  as  if  our  ship  had  struck  on  a  rock  ; 
and  all  turned  as  dark  as  if  the  varra  day  of  judgment 
had  come  on  us  then  and  there." 

Peggy  and  Mary  sobbed  loudly,  as  Dick  described 
the  sad  catastrophe. 

"That's  nouglit  to  how  they  went  on  then,"  continued 
he.  "  I  never  in  my  born  days  heard  such  ^killing  and 
roaring.  Then  John  and  me  — more  shame  on  us —  did 
a  bit  of  swearing;  hut  Mr.  O'Reilly  he  spoke  up  like  a 
Christian,  and  he  says,  says  he,  'The  hand  of  lh<;  Lord 
is  on  us.'  ** 

"It  was,  indeed,"  said  Harold,  "a  most  awful  mo- 
ment ;  death  was  in  that  'horror  of  great  darkness,'  and 
I  felt  stunned  and  deprived  of  all  power  of  thought  or 
exertion,  till  I  heard  Rodney's  comman<ling  voice  say. 
•  Let  us  pray.'  We  did,  I  believe,  all  join  earnestly  in 
prayer,  and  listen  while  he  repeated  the  whole  of  the 
aeautiful  psalm,  '  Lord,  thou  hiist  been  our  refuge  from 


.i;  \ : 


""■W  «•«  all  ,„.„,.,,  ,;    '   ^"  "■""  ^'■•«<"'>.  .vi,l,  ,1,. 

to  nxo,.„,o.     ,Ve  „ro  o„,t  J,,' ^         "°"'""''  ""  •"""' 

«"<=•'  «  -t  of  „.,,avel       J  "'  "^'  ''••-7  .l..n«,.,„, 
'"'^•■n,,,  ,,n,l   „„  „  ""'  '>  <'"■  l-clnr,..,  in  /),„„„., 

'"'■'"■'  '"  live.     Thi.  „oro  !„;   ,  '•■"r  ""  *'  '•>'  -'■■ 
-now.,,,.  .oviv«,„,„  on,™;  .:/"  '""^"■'"■'  '"'  'i'" 

"•ouihof.heoavcanjfi,     ,"'"'"■■"  ""'  ■^'-"'v  „,  „,., 

'""•.-"-■'  our  firs,  ,we    el      ;■,';•"""■  '""^"  '<-''"'- .• 
"  "  «-  «n,i,.,,,  „„,.,,    ;   „\"'-7';-'  "'e  cl,.f,,  „n,l 
"'"•  «"■«.«.!,  ..,  o„l,l  ,„.'.,  T'f"'  "■■•"  "'"•  '""■'  .•.,,,1 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WSST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


182 


THE    BEAR-HUNTERS 


m 


'S  « 


ill 


11 


III'    '  -  ■  1 .' 

III')     r   ja    I   ,1 


A    mall  portion,  and  relieved  also  the  misery  of  total 
darkness. 

"  You  may  conceive  our  nights  of  anxiety,  followed 
by  the  labors  which  we  never  relinquished  as  long  as 
we  could  hold  the  spade  —  dismal  labors,  almost  hope- 
less !  for  wlien  we  had  labored  till  the  morning  of  tlie 
second  day  we  had  not  formed  an  opening  more  than 
fifteen  or  eighteen  feet  high.  Then  Dick  projected  the 
plan  of  passing  a  signal  through  the  solid  snow  that 
lay  above  us,  for  he  insisted  on  it  that  your  father 
would  be  quite  aWare  of  our  condition,  and  might  obtain 
help  for  us.  The  difficulty  of  driving  the  pole  upwards 
through  the  snow  was  tremendous,  though  near  the 
surface  it  was  fortunately  not  frozen  so  hard  as  below. 

"  We  lashed  one  spar  to  another  as  we  drove  them 
up,  till  we  used  all  we  had ;  even  then  we  M^ere  fearful 
the  signal  might  not  have  risen  above  the  surface ;  then 
we  continued  to  labor  without  hope,  to  eat  without 
appetite,  and  to  rest  without  refreshment,  till  our  own 
signal  appeared  and  fell  at  our  feet.  For  a  moment  we 
were  all  speechless  with  emotion ;  then  we  cnatched  up 
the  banner  and  found  your  note,  and  a  faint  cheer  of 
joy  rang  through  the  murky  cave." 

"  Worra  !  worra !  "  interrupted  Mike,  leaping  up  with 
excitement.  "  Wasn't  it  my  own  illegant  red  tie  that 
did  it  all  ?  And  sure,  mother  dear,  won't  we  be  kaping 
that  same,  put  L  >■  as  long  as  we  live,  and  won't  we  all 
have  it  buried  with  us  in  our  own  coffin,  seeing  it  was 
saving  our  lives,  this  same  blessed  red  rag ! " 

"  Sure,  then,  Mike,  darlingt,"  said  his  raother, 
"  wouldn't  it  be  the  Lord  God  himself  that  saved  us, 
and  niver  tlie  red  handkerchief  at  all !  And  He  put- 
ting it  into  Will  to  dig  us  out,  praise  be  to  His  name ' " 


OF    THK    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


183 


lal 

jeA 
as 

tlui 
,ban 

tbe 
tliat 
ither 
btain 
^-avds 
r  the 
low. 

tViem 
eari'ul 
^  then 

tboui 
own 

nt  we 

led  up 

er  of 

witli 
e  that 
raping 

Kve  all 
lit  was 

Lother, 
ted  us, 

le  put- 

1        1  ^ 
lame' 


"  You  are  quite  right,  my  good  woman,"  sni'l  IMr. 
Rodney;  "to  Ilim  alone  belongs  the  ])raise  and  the 
gloiy.  We  had  fallen  into  the  pit,  and  lie  drew  ns 
out.  But,  after  offering  up  our  thanksgiving  to  God, 
we  must  be  grateful  to  the  untiring  hands  that  worked 
out  His  v.ill." 

"  Now  it  would  be  advisable  to  move  forward,"  said 
Captain  Seruton.  "  I  am  sorry  to  wound  your  feelings, 
young  man  ;  but  I  think  it  not  improbable  that  Arn- 
clifFe  may  again  join  his  maniuding  associates  against 
us.  But,  should  he  do  so,  and  find  the  avalanche,  he 
will  conclude  we  are  lost,  and  may  abandon  his  dogged 
persecution.  It  would  be  well  that  he  should  not  dis- 
cover that  we  have  escaped." 

"  I  cannot  believe  him  capable  of  this,"  replied  Wil- 
liam hastily.  Then  he  remembered  what  cause  of 
suspicion  his  friends  had,  and  he  said  no  more. 

They  resumed  their  burdens,  and  oontimied  to  march 
along  the  side  of  the  rocks  till  daylight  failed,  and  they 
gladly  sought  shelter  under  a  cliff,  feeling  the  loss  of  the 
bear-skins  to  rest  upon,  Peggy  especially  declaring  that 
she  was  sure  that  "  villain  of  the  world  "  Arncliffe  had 
all  along  had  his  eyes  on  themi 

The  sun  was  very  powerful  the  next  day,  and  the 
melting  snow  fell  in  showers  from  the  high  rocks  over 
their  pathway,  making  their  march  difficult,  and  often 
perilous.  At  length  they  reached  a  spot  where  a  new- 
ly-formed torrent  poured  down  in  a  cataract,  and  rushed 
foaming  through  a  deep  rocky  bed,  formnig  an  impassa- 
ble barrier  for  foot-j>assengers. 

"  I  foresaw,  my  friends,"  said  Mr.  Rodney,  "  that  wo 
must  inevitably  be  thus  arrested ;  and  perhaps  it  in 
well :  why  should  we  not  attempt  to  ascend  and  work 


184 


THE    BKAR-IIUNTKRS 


W  III  ■■::fj|83 


Ji; 


^i  'I  ;•' 


1^:1: 


through  th3se  mountains?  We  seem  to  arrive  at  no 
easier  pass,  and  we  lose  time  by  thus  aimlessly  journey- 
in'jr  alcnpr  the  side." 

"  But  my  fatlier  said  it  was  hopeless  our  attempting 
to  cross  without  a  guide,"  said  William. 

"  I've  carried  many  a  ship  through  unknown  seas 
without  chart  or  pilot,"  said  Seruton,  "  and  we'd  better 
trust  our  own  judgment,  than  be  in  the  hands  of  one 
who  might  run  us  into  a  fleet  of  pirates." 

"  Very  good,  Captain  Seruton,"  answered  Rodney : 
"  then  we  commit  the  helm  to  you  ;  rely  on  our  obedi- 
ence." 

"  It's  little  he  knows  of  land  voyaging,"  muttered 
Dick,  in  a  discontented  tone,  to  his  friend  Mike  ;  "  but 
it's  like  we  must  wait  orders." 

"  Then  we'll  begin  by  boarding  this  hulk  of  stone," 
said     Seruton,    climbing    the    steep     rocky    wall    tha 
bounded  the  ledge,  as  coolly  as  a  fly  pursues  its  miracu- 
lous way  up  a  pane  of  glass. 

Pat  followed  him  like  a  monkey ;  Mary  looked 
appalled,  and  Dennis  sat  down,  groaning  in  despair. 

"  We  passed  a  cannier  bit  a  while  back,"  said  John ; 
'*  what  think  ye,  Dick,  of  getting  'em  up  thereaway." 

"  We'se  manage  to  haul  'em  aloft  somehows,  man," 
answered  Dick.     "  Come,  lads,  are  ye  for  trying  ?  " 

But  William  had  also  remarked  the  canny  bit,  which 
formed  an  easier  ascent ;  and  not  considering  them- 
selves bound  absolutely  to  follow  the  captain,  they 
turned  back,  and  contrived  to  scramble  upwards  with 
various  degrees  of  skill.  The  women  were  helped  up 
without  much  trouble,  thougli  with  a  good  deal  of 
shrieking,  but  John  and  Dick  were  compelled  to  lay 
violent  hands  on    the  old   man,  and   to  carry  him   up 


-'•ri-rr: 


OF    THK    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


\srt 


hinWly.  Wlien  this  was  necoinplisluMl,  and  thry  rop.lly 
ro.^tetl  on  lev(d  rock  again,  tliey  discovoretl  (liat  llioy  liad 
only  surmounted  one  of  a  succession  of  gigantic  stejia, 
each  of  which  occupied  so  much  time  to  ascend,  that 
the  wliole  day  was  spent  in  the  lahor  of  reaching  a 
height  not  many  hundred  feet  fiom  t]i(;  terrace  they  left 
in  the  morning.  Even  then,  thongli  they  d(;scended 
into  a  sheltered  hollow  for  the  night;  in  the  morning 
they  still  saw  hefore  them  the  mighty  wall  of  rock, 
nid)rokcJi,  and  almost  inaccessible.  To  add  to  their 
distress,  the  meat  was  exhausted,  very  little  flour 
remained,  and  the  potatoes,  though  most  grateful  to  the 
poor  emi -grants,  afforded  imperfect  sustenance  to  m(^n 
who  required  strength  for  their  great  undertaking.  As 
they  sat  disconsolately  round  the  fire,  Pat  dropped  from 
the  bushes  that  covered  the  rocks,  crying  out,  — 

"  Will  ye  be  helping,  Mike  ?  Sure  they're  illegant. 
and  talk  like  the  Ingins  themselves,  and  maybe  Will 
would  be  telling  us  what  they're  maning,  seeing  he's 
clever  at  his  book.  And  maybe  they'd  be  askin'  me 
to  lave  their  eggs  alone,  the  craturs,  which  same  I'd 
not  be  agreeable  to,  at  any  rate,  seeing  we're  needing 
them  ourselves." 

The  boy  produced  a  bag  iilled  with  the  small  eggs  of 
the  parrots  and  pigeons  who  frequented  the  bushes,  and 
Mike  and  Dick  readily  joined  in  a  more  efficient  inva- 
sion of  their  domains.  They  succeeded  in  taking  a 
dozen  young  green  parrots,  and  though  necessity  com- 
pelled them  to  feed  on  the  birds,  Mary  mourned  over 
the  pretty  creatures,  and  Mr.  Rodney  shrank  from  such 
a  wholesale  slaugliter  for  one  small  dish  of  stew.  Stili 
the  stew  was  thankfully  eaten,  as  well  as  an  omelette  of 
pggs,  by  the    hungry  travellers,  and  after    this  refresh- 

IG* 


■b'M 


p 


i 


'I         "'I 


4  I 


I    ''    ■•! 


I  . 


lilHtllllH-/.- 


186 


THE    BKAR-IIITiVTHRS 


nient,  th  •}  all  declare'l  tliey  felt  stronger  for  the  next 
day's  fhtigiio. 

Another  lofty  step  was  ascended  n-^xt  morninj?,  after 
a  few  hours'  labor,  an<l  a  broad,  extensive  valley  whieh 
lay  beyond  the  ledge,  and  which  stretched  far  to  the 
3outh,  tempted  them  to  proceed  along  it  for  two  or 
three  miles,  hoping  they  might  thus  come  on  some 
easier  ascent.  Pat,  as  usual,  was  on  before  them,  and 
they  saw  him  pause  near  a  thick  wood.  Harold  has- 
tened up,  on  the  watch  for  game,  with  his  gun  charged; 
but  when  he  reached  him,  the  boy  whispered  in  an  avNo- 
struck  tone,  —  "  Was  yer  honner  iver  seeing  a  spuri:t 
in  the  daylight?" 

"  Never,  Pat,"  answered  Harold.  "  I  can  safely  say  ; 
neverthcdess,  I  am  quite  ready  for  the  encounter,  an  i. 
would  be  glad  to  have  one  pointed  out." 

''  Sure,  wasn't  I  seeing  the  big  fiery  eye  in  that  blael 
bush     with     the    red    roses,    yonder,"    said    the    boy. 
"  Musha !  sure  yer  honner  wouldn't  be  shooting,  barrin' 
ye'd  be  havin'  a  silver  bullet." 

"  My  dear  lad,  point  out  the  bush,"  replied  Harold. 
"  It  will  certainly  be  a  bear  or  an  elk,  and  we  cannot 
afford  to  lose  it." 

The  boy  trembled  as  he  showed  a  thick  cactus-bush, 
already  covered  with  red  buds ;  and  though  Harold  did 
not  see  the  fiery  eye,  he  levelled  his  piece  at  a  venture, 
at  the  bush,  and  was  just  about  to  fire,  when  a  rustling 
sound  was  heard,  and  an  Indian,  with  his  bow  and 
sjuiver  at  his  back,  and  the  usual  scanty  clothing, 
(Mawled  from  the  bush  towards  Harold,  and  lay  down 
before  him,  with  his  face  to  the  ground,  in  an  attitude 
cf  humiliation. 

By  this  time  the  rest  of  the  party  had  come  up,  and 


;ii  ! 


,'i;!ll!-i 


■  fiy.y   .'U^  ^^ 


or    TIIK    ROCKY    .MULNTA[\S. 


187 


irnii 


Id  aid 

luure, 
istling 
and 

thing, 

Idown 

tiinde 

L  and 


William,  in  great  agitation,  addressed  some  words  to 
the  man  in  Ins  lately-ac(iuin'd  Indian  dialert.  The 
i^tranger  started  up,  his  face  ligiited  with  1joj)«,  and  re- 
plied quickly,  at  the  same  time  pointing  to  his  right 
arm,  which  hung  uselessly  at  his  side,  and  at  liis  Ijcad. 
Then  William  interpreted  his  answer, —  "  He  says  that 
iie  was  out  on  a  hunting  expedition  with  his  j)»'ople, 
that  he  liad  left  them  in  pursuit  of —  I  think  he  means 
the  great  bear  ;  that  when  he  was  al  e  he  fell  from  a 
snowy  height,  and  hurt  his  arm  and  -  head  so  much 
that  he  lost  all  recollection  for  some  tin  e.  He  ca.uiot, 
even  now,  remember  where  he  is,  and  he  is  almost  fam- 
ished, and  has  been  long  lying  unable  to  provide  him- 
self with  food,  and  waiting  for  the  Great  Spirit  to  call 
him  away." 

All  were  anxious  to  aid  the  unfortunate  hunter. 
William  was  employed  to  tell  him  that  they  were  his 
friends,  that  they  would  try  to  restore  the  use  of  his 
arm,  and  make  him  strong  again.  He  readily  allowed 
Mr.  Rodney  to  examine  his  arm,  asking  William  if 
this  gentleman  was  the  great  medicine  man  of  the 
tribe.  The  arm  was  dreadfully  swollen,  and  fomenta- 
tions were  applied ;  then  Peggy  and  Dennis,  on  their 
limited  field,  '^athered  such  herbs  as  they  thought  good 
for  a  poultice,  Mr.  Rodney  submitting  to  an  experiment 
which  might  be  beneficial,  and  could  do  no  harm. 
There  was  no  wound  in  the  head,  and  Mr.  Rodney 
hoped  that  the  concussion  which  had  confused  his 
senses,  was  now  of  no  consequence :  he  thei'efore  con- 
tented himself  with  administering  a  sedative  medicine. 
Then  they  gave  him  some  tea,  which  seemed  to  be  very 
repugnant  to  his  carnivorous  appetite,  after  which  he 
slept ;  and  thus  compelled  to  wait,  they  ranged  about 


188 


Tlir    HKAIt-IIliNTi:i{fl 


witlj  fluiii  guns,  and  woni  forfunal(?  cnoii,  »  to  shoot 
an  elk,  whicli  was  speedily  skinned  and  ent  nj) ;  and 
when  th'^  Indian  awoke,  a  stew  had  been  cooked,  of 
which  only  a  moderate  share  was  {ijiven  lo  liim,  lor 
William  ascertained  that  he  had  not  eaten  any  thing  for 
three  days. 

Unwilling  to  move  the  lielpl(»ss  Indian,  they  con- 
i.inned  anoth<'r  day  on  this  sj)ot,  when  Mr.  Rcxhiey 
and  John  managed  to  set  the  broken  arm,  and  to  en- 
close it  in  a  cradle  of  bark,  which  they  slung  round  the 
neck  of  the  patient,  who  ntiver  moved  a  muscle  during 
the  painful  operation  ;  but  when  it  was  completed 
uttered  these  brief  words  of  acknowledgment,  —  "It 
is  goo'  ;  the  white  strangers  are  my  brothers."  They 
were  now  in  a  condition  to  set  out,  and  the  Indian 
was  asked  to  guide  them  through  the  mountains, 
which  he  eagerly  undertook  to  do,  though  he  pointed 
to  old  Dennis,  and  said,  —  "  The  red  men  leave  their 
weak  fathers  at  the  lodges ;  the  young  brave  only 
hunts,  the  old  sleep." 

As  they  proceeded  slowly  along  the  valley,  Harold 
and  Mr.  Rodney  recalled  some  of  the  words  they  had 
acquired  from  their  first  Indian  friends ;  and  finding 
that,  though  different  in  pronunciation,  they  resembled 
the  corresponding  words  in  the  dialect  of  their  new 
acquaintance,  they  were  soon  able  to  understand,  and, 
with  a  little  help  from  William,  to  talk  with  the 
young  Indian,  who  had  a  mild,  intelligent  countenance, 
and  who  seemed  grateful  and  happy,  though  he  said  he 
must  return  to  his  squaw  when  he  had  brought  them 
through  the  mountains. 

Then,  through  winding  defiles,  over  sloping  ridges, 
And  along  narrow  and  perilous  shelves  cm  the  mountain- 


Bi<le,  the  ajrilo  rnfi;.,,,  i   i  .  . 
«ee<le<J  ,br  ,hci  da  J  ^         '""P""  "«'  «"-«"g".  'he. 


mo 


Till-,  inau  iirNTKUM 


if 


(Ml  A  VTKU     \  VII 


An  «>n'>Inii(',h(    nnion^r   <'"'    Hcurs.       INtoio    rpiiloiiB  .Ii»iimrvhi|H. — 


An   Aliinn. 


A   INlnnh    li\  (lio   \V«(or. 


I'lic   S(>(  ret    I'ovlrnM.  — 


'ri\o  I'.nonw  «t  (lie  'l(i(t>w. 


^'§% 


HB 


I 


« 


(>N  flu^  ihiitl  »l:n  oC  iho'w  jonnu'V  \vi(l»  (Iw  Indinn, 
lio  |>MUso«l  in  M  n.'unnv  vmIIcv.  iuuI  sniil  in  lii^  own  Inn- 
piMiTO.  "  Alv  luothcrs  n\nst  sImv  lirrr  lo  Kill  IIm»  dnrk 
l>(\'\v;  it  is  \\rvo  l\o  Iims  Iiis  lodges.  Tin'  rrd  iumm  Uxor 
lUMtw  «l;\vs  wiilioiit  loot! ;  Ills  pMl«'  brolIiciN  junsl  o'M 
\]i\\\\\  Mnd  nuisl  liMVf  dicil  I\m<1  llicy  ^<»iu»  np  yonder." 
And  In'  poinlctl  fo  (lio  lici^hls  whicli  (liov  li.'id  v.'iinly 
.•»tl<Mnj>(«Ml  (o  >-nrnionnt. 

'V\\o  (rMVi'lliTs  \V(M-o  IJMMi  Mw.'iro  liow  tliMiddnl  ihoy 
lind  nM<son  lo  bo  lIcU  t  lov  luid  l»v  tlioir  cliMrilv  Moonrcd 


(lu 


»    S(M*Vh'OS    « 


>r    til 


0     0>p(M'UMH*0( 


1    n.'it 


IVC.   MM 


ll 


lov  nni 


III 


liiivo  |nM'isln>d  niisorMhly  in  llio  choorloss  soHlndoM  ofllio 


luL-l 


irlior  r;\nii('s.  If  wa^i  ihoir  i!;ijido  toi>,  who,  with  \\\c 
ko('n  obscM'VMfion  of  his  \".\ci\  dctoolod  Mn<l  traood  tho 
bonr  to  his  don  :  :uul  aO<n-  pointing:  ont  the  ontrMiUM^ 
nnd  disohjirjrinii:  sov<M*al  arrows  into  tho  omv«\  tln'y 
lainod  that   ho  had  not  dcM'civod  thoni,  lor  ins  nn- 


BSOlM 


woloomc  sahitntions  woro  answond  by  a 
pijinitiod  th:it  Rruin  was  at  hoim'. 


sirowl  whioh 


Now, 


sau 


I     tho     Indian,    "  lot  inv    brolhors    burn 


him  io  death  with  tlieir  firo-spoar:"  and  tho  man 
^hnddorod  as  lio  pointt>d  to  the  weapon  whioh  he  had 
seen  arrest  the.  bird  in  its  llijxht,  and  brinsr  it  d(>ad  to  tho 
ground.     The  men  advanced  one  after  another  to  shoot 


u\vtii|||.  — 
irlrnm*.  — 


IntiliMi, 
wn  Imu- 
Im>  (ImiU 
\\\  liv<>H 
nisi    «'Mt 

I    vMinly 

ful  tlw^y 
MCHMircd 
V  iniLrlit 
'M  of"  I  ho 
vilh  llw 
khmI  |Ih» 
nlraiuM', 
•«»,  llicy 
Ills  nn- 
A  whloh 

rs  burn 
\w  man 
lie  luul 
1(1  to  the 
to  slioot 


0|r     11,,,. 


I»«M   ,(  y 


^'"I'NTAIN, 


"'""•I    f^fill    ,.,Yi 


"»'    nidi 


iii)| 


''iiiMli 


M      «/»-, 


'"^'"/^   'n   „,,, 


"•'•'•'«l  flu,/  (I 


"     '/'ndl    y,.||^     f 


!"■'■    (^I<MV|     II 


IIM 


'•'•'•,    /iiirl 


Tl 


In^. 


"'"   «''•«   fn.l 


"'"■'"''"'f'NIimll 


''lf(W«>(|      I 


l/lll   (l„ 


J'  Hi  I 


<lflC«> 


«.  "nii«.(|,  I 


,  /inwrvi'i 


""•     '''"VvIp.I     f|„o,„r),    ,1 


"■''M    HIJCCO^Hf',,! 


'•"   ''^  H   linr;  I 
kill  I 


^^"''    ""'oM',  ,„„^,  ^ 


"'    H/lfTf, 


VV  /ip*.,,. 


"ifiri  (|( 


'"'''  ;   Ihr   he 


♦     »•«•   S/|i 


'"^   nirii 


I 


'"'  '""   "•"'    Hm.   Mn.k  , 


nn»n<  nin 


'J- 


Ari.l 


If 


""   '''''I'l,  /Im.„    I 


»«'/ir. 


<•< 


■IV.    fl 


•I"i-Uv  ,|,vu'   |,„.I, 


"HI     III, 


"l'l"''in.,|    (Ui,   I 


"■    '■''^'•«    II I .  lo 


'•'v^!(   (»/'    I 


nnn«'   lire 


I 


>iii(i  t] 


'"•    I'l.'lclt    I 


^'•V".-,     -   My     ,„,,„ 


"M   rmo;  |;„.    ,, 


"'"'■     W'/H     Mof 


irix 


"'  "••'"•   wiiflir.l    ( 


""'  Ix'asi,      J 


all 


«T 


and  ,1 


^^■'"''li  III,.   /„(! 


"   ""'.-'•.v,  III,.,,,  II 


•'"■    '<v"s.   |„. 
'""M"-'*^s  i|„.  ,1 


"■    fnari 


"7  tin, I   I 


r«'\v 


'an  one,.   ,„ 


w,»  I 


noH' 


n    IN   II 


""'  "'"'""'.yorai,, 


'"•''    ^V'Ml     i„,„    ,, 


n<'       I«',.,|,s;     I 


"'  ^<|iia\v  l», 


'n 


•   "♦•  n/iiils 


"-'     ^VaM     |,|o,M|y    ,v„,,^ 


'^"'  Mack  I 
HK.if.  /in 


du>|M  . 

'"   ctivc. 


"■ar. 


'/■av(! 


j.'.f  I 


IVfVq. 


"•<•    NlaiMrlil 


aiM 


rr 


*''7   "as  1,,,,,,,^  „„,j 


'  <'Hf"clallv   wl 


'    Han, Id   /Ml, 


^i''l< 


"'"    '•    /aim 


♦  ncd  nl 


'nan  flic  ,I 
'7 


<'n, 


ruirr 


find  |.,y  ,|„^j|  J 


'"'>  «'nl»s,   |,„|| 


"'"'    plaini 


IVP, 


'    ^'""idf.d,    lolfy 


H'<!      I 


ia.v(! 


'7  ""'  f'*'ad  mr,i| 


/•fid 


'"•''^''••'/'  HUid     [f,„.o|,|„ 


'"^     '"f'.'d    ftion^rj,    /} 


"•'>wi/,;r  ,|ovvn    J 


K-r. 


dlool 


'"^^     ?Ml„„,,I^     j,j      |.j 


"■    '"''iny    days.      / 


Mon^^di     /or     II 


If! 


IIS 


'TO 


''•"bS    HodlK.y,    [ 


»'^>^assiri,ili(,„. 


y»  '   n'volf,  / 


»''ly   in    II 


<""•"     lilflf.    / 


f»r 


Kr 


'•om  tl, 


^'["'M     /Iflr/s;     I 


'^  ■'^''crrit  and 


^Jovvarf 


l?nl  iT 


^<*  *'')"'/,   fi„;,s|,   I 


of 


'«^  'I  '"'  of  pl„(.k  I,./-,, 


IIS. 


in  li 


•'"•'  «»>,"  Haid    f)i,.k,  «  If 


ini,  1, 


l(! 


you'ro   not 


Tell 


ow 


mjseJ/ 


•y,  in  Ihr  n   ; 
''ff'«'n   it,  H'lr,   I'lj'},, 


"'""7,  in  for 


'■•''  •^•"•'^  to  finis! 


»  ."^ornf; 


a 


pound.     So  if 


♦V'^  a  (ou(;h  at  the 


old 


f.f\ 


'r«  i 


ir* 


Li 


T,: 


h 


m 


'II 


11 

« 

« 

1 

if 

■I 


I 


1 


•»5 


I  9') 


( in     in  \u  in  N  1 1  un 


Tl 


MM 


ll 


V'\ 


lMtM)ol\(    on<    ili«<   )mm><>   tinint'd,  iiiiii   till    liiiiiiti  ucim   )>iii 
pliM  <  <)    ill    xKiiuiiii)!    mill    iM    rMliiiMi    lip   iIm<    MiiMii.   t»r 
vliM'h    t|\(«    'iI'umiI'ImI    MiippU     t<  pci'ifilh     ili  li|»li(i'il    iIm» 
tt»«lit»n.  \\  lu»   i\l:«(ll\   l><Mi>    Im  I    ili'iM'  i»l    iIm>   lniiili'Ui   Mini 

rtOi  I  ll\r  iklM*  lltnl  Im'i'II  ili'lUI  It'll.  Ili>  ImIIiiI  IIh'MI  M|I 
lUlil  I'.'Mliiil  (Im'IU  I'll  ti»n,  Mi>iMJr\  iiiii^  (lull  IIh'V  \m  m» 
n\n«'li  loi'  X  'ilu'iMi'  (o  l'i»  iilwuiiltMiiil 

Al'li'l  <lliM»  lltUil  \<imI..  \\u'\  IM;|.Ii'  (»  r.iiriil  llim  ell  mI' 
>s>>»M<>  IcmimIi,  m  liii  I»  Im.mm'IiI  iImmm  (h  t»  iK'iil  iiliiiiilv 
K\Mn\n  (o  \l\«<     ImiIiim  .    (m     l\t>    Ii  il    (liiiii    lo    ii    i  !H  r,  (Im» 


niiMI    \\    Ol      W  Imi'Ii    hi'       ll.'W  II 


I     iIk  Ml.   Ii>'    l\  \i\     lliinit'll     lillrij 


i>   \\  \il>   !<i  w  \\\\  I'oil 


I.    Ill     IM  i'\  I'Ml     llli'      l>ril   1     (llltl 


\\  oh  »'  I 


<\>>«n    t;>K\n«>    then-    ttlioilo    mi     H 


n 


ir\ 


h'Ml 


I'X  lillMllI  V 


l\.>\\  i'>  <l  .     •Uli'IMpd  ll      fi»      liMMiMO      (Im»      ilMpCililMrMl    ;     ImiI 
thi'    -Kill   I'l    IM'Ul    l\;i«l    liuMMplii.l.  !<M«1    llir\    lifiil    iimI    wr  ■ 


rrri 


I 


«:n  I' 


XX 


:\i      loill.      il;IIM]',      flMll      iImI'K   ;      Itlll 


MfllM-     OnnjJ     Xi'Mtll?! 


Ii'il 


iMi(   u  :\\  nii't 


1.  I 


M     tUllKlMir    II 


Imi 


!»•' 


(In^  «><  \lu^  Imii  liu oo.l.  du'  (imi'lliM^  look  po'MOMiion  i»r 
i(.  «M>.  V<»l  ;»nil  lUo  ;iM  riioim.Mii  iippci-  ol  iiinil  i<mI\, 
'AuA  (l\rn  (lUi'il  up  iho  iMiirnnoo  xvidi  pM'i'i'i  i»(  lorK.  lo 
fj-nniNl    (lion\    «lol<'    tl\»*>     virpt  ;   i\    piuiloni     piiM'tmlioti, 

I    ;)n    ;liiiiu;\l,  \x  Iliili  ()io    IliilitUi 

I 


tx>r  tlu^  ruM>N^    1iv>>\  Ii 


nvT-*  o 


srti*i     vxM'i    tlu''    >\n'Mt    Mmi'Iv    uoll".    wrro     inrc  siinl     iiiu 

Vho  \\c\i  <l;i\  thov  sorMiuMoil  o\or  I<,'»ro  rocK-x  pilr<l 
on  nv'ks.  s«M«<Mii\ios  oon>p<'llr»l  lo  ilr.iw  up  llu"  I»U!.T!TM*to 
l>\  i\>|^<N  :  \\l\il<^  tVoni  \\\o  ^nowrn'xvnrd  ponks  Tmi' mIiovo 
ihoin.  sl\^^^v^^>^  of  tn('l(0(^  snow  »'«>ntinu;»llv  (Irliii'od  (heir 
|v»lh  \\\\i\  foil  npv">^\  tlin\i.  jiiiil  o^vMsioMMlIx   lliov  mmiiowIv 


^soapo>1   ;\n   ;n:\1;u\*  l\<\      TluMT   pn>!:;t^\<s 


\v«s  >lo\x 


ll 


fatii\\o  vow   iriv:\;.  an* 


i     NXI 


\on    y 


Uwk 


t\o>s   c;uno   on 


M'lr 


tl«'V 


ml,  iiiul 

I'll  lllfV 
rl)>  t'lll 
»t'H(.  nl" 
Ii<t  iho 
11  :  iiml 
hi'iM    it|t 

>V     \\r[t> 

IMtt'l)   "'I' 

|ilMlnl\ 

•W  p.   ( III' 

II  (ill.  .1 

W  oh  l>'4 
>  i  1 1 1 M  1 1  I  \' 

III  :    I'Ml 

tlol      Jill' 

iK  :    liiit 

n   Imii'p 

<^ioii   ol 

t\\    oiih  , 

lorK.  In 

rtmlinn, 

Iniliiili 

\U{      Mllij 

k^    |iilr<l 

»r  hIiovo 
<'«l  ilirir 
iMinnvly 
w,  llicir 
o\\   \\\v\ 


"»       KM 


IMH 


'*  »      ^M»«iN  I  A  »Mn 


>l«'l>l     I 


':" "" ' '  -iiff. , 


«'••"    M.MM.iM,.     |„m|,.,     ,j 


<l'  (II. 


Im  (iv 


"•'    'Imm    I..m| 


•  iil^  (| 


»f>/J 


'    *  '»V»M  »| 


»l     » 


f     l>/| 


'"    M    I.     Im    1} 


""    "■""       "'     Mm!       ,,,,1 


Ml      •!    , 


I'M  MHV 


III 


'"   <•"•  V  '  I'.inI      (I 


IV  1 1  1 1 


••1/(1  j».. I  nl    ,,, 


i<    II 


'•      •  '  iiii  i\ 


U  III  M    (III' 


«'?•  Ill-ll  . , 


Mn\ 


I'l"  '     |"l»/     (..  IMJ'     I 


'»(  i,,i  I 


I'Mir     l.iMil   1,1    I     I) 


"""•""   *'■'•<    mImm.I    ,„    I,,,, 


"'•"I  I,   MMlj 


•  ""  "     lV\uh'    nl 


I'l'l    n    U 


I'l' 


'".V'n/f.  "  |(  i, 


Mill  nil 
•Hill  nlijil 


'"•»•''   III. I    ii 


I'.onif   I, 


"l>f'<<\    Ii 


/>f »i. 


I'  IM 


'    l"l    'IM     VI   ( 


("""'"II/     |,|, 


M  II    ihr 


I 


•"•     •""     'M,      Im.iH, 


'"•*v    n,H    /mII    ,(, 


'|i(i( 


(I 


Ml 


!'•'  illlh/iri    ,,|     I 


I   :    /I 


'VII    1,11     (,M. 


"••I,      IIIKJ      I) 


"l/M'llllir    I,,    1/ 


nllMIlM 

r."i'limll 
il    iiM'l    I 


11  V     t/ 


I'     IIIM 


'IV    ( 


/( 


Mil 


""•     ll'l    lull 


"•"    "•    ^""^     '"..Uy    |.,,„„     H 


W/M   m|,vJ. 


|"nv(i| 


V   II   II  lull  , I 


'III 


"        «!l(»| 


^^'|||||(|    I) 


/.'I 


'I'lin 


I'" 


w 


I'MII      llo'Y 


•"'"""   '•}'  Mil.  .1,1   ..I 


""".':''   'I.r    ,,,Im|    m„|. 


'ii'h 


'»■■■   ( 


"mIIuiI    ( 


"""• ;  ixxi  t,,,,„  I 


IIm<  I 


II 


♦  '"iliiMlioii,      /,„! 


"•^^""'-     '""'^Mlir     i,„^,„,^ 


I'mi     h, 


""V     ViMlMir.l     t, 


•»i  Hir  (I 


Itirli 


t-^. 


Wl 


"••«'  mill, 


«••"••.•"••  M,l,.^«,i,.|;  /;„„„, 


I'Mi  Im  !«'  r,r 


Vllllily     l,,f. 

"^•^^""'"ImiiiI  /,„„hIm.,| 


«•»  II 


•  IMIIC    IMf'Ml     (I 


"HI   W)i';  vt,i 


'"  miilii'  M  I 


|»i"vioiiM  ««vr»iir 


'    "»MI  <|     ),„','    I 


"•'"'.  ■"•»'. III. '|</j   I, 


'   vkm    Io   »,,, 

'"  /iMi;ilr|y 


V  I"  hlli',1 


II' 


I 


lli'V   Inv  <l 
II 

III 


•/%  'IH'I   mIi 


'I    »IHll<  liiir    1} 


"''■II    iiiol.lij 


inv 


"    ""    fii<^  ImimI    ,,„.): 


I'  n  m 


'"I  Mifl 


'ft"  I  "I,  lU'm, 


"7    ••'•Nlil    rol|,.,.|,  lo   „l 
""•  '"'   III"  I/iImm.m  of 
''■''•7  '♦'■'    IIh^ 

"";.'    "liirli    III, 


will.    .,,rU  i. 


'IWin    III.-    „| 


"v»'./ir,r,  «m 


II' 


niioll 


I'l   ill 


/'  '""''"^Kary   lo  /j|> 


'■'>'l<y  liollovv  / 


'»  iii/i/- 


^"•""     i'     f^n.llMMllj.    wil||.,„.,| 


r  '""luiMiij  lo  ,,.,j^,.,  ^ 


"i<"i/i  tiiu  (Uf;u 


l(M' 


y  <i 


'•'I'l  iiji. 


''f  M'lfMi-   hour^. 


I'SCI 


woimIs    hIiiiI 


IIK 


"''    ^V''''ll    ''Xl'dilllJ    il,,.   I 

"•"     (li'ic    /nil) 


,y  '•urrii-  f 


"'    'IM     f,i,t 


f>>  (t 


(tiiil  I 


'.""■"''"'■  ",i.  IniJiun  if  II, 
"'  '•••Jilii-il, 
My  l 


"■'■      VJI'VV. 


7  ii.'iii 


'"W     ||,|.,M,     |,jj     ,J;,,k 

y     >•!!(//•  I  ly 


71 


(( 


>'■<>!  I)  tTH 


""•7  »I0W  ill;s(;|.„ii 
1/ 


»<^Vi;n   (o  t/,f; 


l>ruinH» 


is^^i 


VJA 


THIC    liKAK-HUxNTEKS 


if: 


ijfi  ^  (i|85: 


■'Sis  • 


^■i:fi!l-^.- 


but  the  red  man  docs  ii  )t  love  the  open  grounda 
Wherever  the  Great  Spirit  hiLS  planted  the  forest,  the 
red  man  seeks  the  forest,  and  raises  his  lodges  out  of  the 
eight  of  his  enemies.  My  people  are  peaceful ;  they 
love  not  blood,  though  they  have  not  small  hearts,  for 
they  hunt  the  great  bear,  and  hang  his  elavvs  round 
their  necks.  The  treacherous  Pawnee,  the  bloody 
Sioux,  the  wandering  Crow,  sleep  with  their  eyes  open, 
and  the  scalping-knife  in  their  hands,  to  wait  for  the 
peace-loving  red  man.  My  people  are  poor ;  they  are 
robbed  of  their  horses  ;  but  they  choose  to  remain  poor ; 
they  will  not  be  robbers,  they  will  not  be  scalp-hunters, 
—  they  are  bear-hunters." 

"  It  is  most  fortunate  for  \is"  said  Mr.  Rodney,  "  that 
our  friend  belongs  to  the  Peace  Association.  I  feel  my 
head  cooler,  since  1  have  no  longer  the  dread  of  that 
remiirkably  unpleasant  operation  of  scalpnig.  I  think, 
Harold,  it  would  be  advisable  for  us  to  })ay  a  visit  to  the 
people  of  our  guide." 

"  I  earnestly  wish  it,"  answered  Harold.  "  I  should 
like  nothing  better  than  to  join  these  hunters  in  a  regu- 
lar foray ;  but  how  unlucky  it  is  that  they  should  be  a 
dismounted  people !  " 

"  1  fear,"  said  William,  "  it  would  be  hopeless  to  make 
inquiries  about  my  lather  amongst  these  peaceful  In- 
dians.    He  is  mad  about  war." 

"  It's  about  shedding  blood,  you'd  be  saying,  boy," 
aaid  Dennis.  "  It's  not  the  great  bears,  nor  the  wolves 
themselves,  that  he's  caring  to  slay  ;  but  it's  just  man, 
man  in  the  image  of  his  God,  that  he  turns  his  hand 
again.     God  forgive  him  for  that  same." 

They  contiiiued  to  descend  over  the  rugged  path  till 
mey  reached  the  region  of  the  pine  woods ;   then  the 


1  -  i  ' 

W  I' 


'..:iJl'' 


OF    TEIK    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


19A 


restless  eye  of  the  Indian  souglit  in  every  direction  the 
trail  of  friends  or  enemies;  but  none  appearing,  they 
plunged  into  the  wood.  The  thiek  bushes  now  looked 
green  with  April  buds,  the  trees  were  wound  round 
with  masses  of  the  tough  tendrils  of  creeping  shrubs, 
whieii  spread  from  trunk  to  trunk,  interwoven,  and 
formed  impediments  fatal  to  the  garments  of  civilized 
life.  The  unclothed  Indian  looked  with  contempt  on 
the  rent  and  entangled  dresses  of  the  women,  and  even 
the  more  compact  clothes  of  the  men  did  not  escape. 
Pat  alone  triumphed  in  his  rags,  and  defied  every  ob- 
stacle, having  little  more  clothes  left  than  the  Indian,  to 
whom  he  attached  himself,  and  with  whom  he  boldly 
conversed  in  a  dialect  compounded  of  many  tongues, 
but  which  was  soon  comprehended  and  answered  by  the 
good-natured  savage. 

On  the  second  day  of  their  comparatively  easy  de- 
scent, the  Indian  suddenly  stopped,  put  his  ear  to  the 
ground,  then  plunging  into  a  mountain  stream  by  the 
side  of  which  they  were  moving,  he  waved  his  compan- 
ions to  follow  him,  saying,  — 

"  The  cowardly  Sioux  ar-o  on  the  tmil ;  ^ve  must  fly. 
They  would  scalp  all,  even  the  women  and  the  child. 
They  are  more  cruel  and  sly  than  the  wolf.  They  will 
carry  away  the  guns,  and  the  knives,  and  the  iron  ves- 
sels of  ray  brothers,  and  will  give  their  bodies  to  the 
hungry  beasts  of  the  forest.  It  is  good  to  deceive  them. 
The  water  leaves  no  trail ;  my  brothers  must  walk 
through  it.     I  will  mislead  the  cowaruiy  dogs." 

Then  he  sprang  out  on  the  0{)posite  side  of  the  rivu- 
let, tram[)ling  down  the  bushes,  and  forcing  his  way  into 
the  depths  of   the   Ibrest,  till   they  lost   sight   of  him, 


I' 


\\H\ 


VIM'   \\i  KU  in  N  n  m 


T) 


r 


■■♦' 


:l 


J. 

:* 

< 

.*5i 

»^%> 

H: 

*  j^^ 

/'I 

p#«i 

? 

1,, 

^'! 

•^H. 

'i^ 

S 

J, 

,                                       '      ■ 

H 


;i\v:\\\\    (o   il».'  Mliuin  ol    l'(»p(nin    .S«Mnlim,  n  Iim  ihm^jImNmI 


\\\  hv\\^'\\\\^x  \\\i\{  l\«'  ItittI  mIwuiiIoikmI  iI 


u<\\\ 


I  .lon'i    lM'li.'\»>  i(,*'  rxrltnnii'tl    llint<l<l. 


II 


M     H    tU» 


u>ni'-i    1(" 


i*\\ 


I    M\\\  H'!t.|    i(    in    l\i^    Ihri'.       I ,('( 


IIM  ritii 


i\nu.>    OMI     r<>l<l    imii    r«>ml«M(l 


("j'^    \<  !»lfr  Ml!)!  I'll 


h. 


•    lU'lll 


on    u.  h<'  \x 


ill 


)tM\t     u-J    >.\o:\\\\   ;    \\\\\,   til     iiin     l!l((<,    \n>   iiiiimI 


ii«M    \\;»i<    lh>n>    III!    (ho^i>    Philip  Iniiitcm    roiup    up.    wlio 
nufihi  pii'Xf'  io.>  ni;in\    (in   u>;." 

SiM  mou  nnil.l   noi    Uc  com  iiiriij    ilmi    Hum    ucri'  pur 
^iir\l.  fin   l\«'  \\.\\\    lii'.ird  no  ^oiiiul  ;    lull    INI r.    litulin'v  liinl 
\iU\\   oi   ilio   !-:iti;i,in   ol    lilt'    ImlifiiH,  innl,  IriHiin^   ijirii- 
^ni«1<>.   hofiov.l    (li:n    iln'\    niijiln    hn^irn   lorwnid. 


I'll 


>\:n.M',    ih\>iii>h    r\.n    ju    iti:ii     jnUiinfoil    mcihoii    il    uim 
pnMX'in^h    «N»M,  \\:»<  UninuMioh    n»»(  deep,  niul  Hicy  \\r\o 


mMo  to  ni;n\'li  on  iluonoli  i(.  (ollowinu  i(M  <| 


i'\  lOBM  ooinso 


Hnu^nvi    iho   n\;»^>ios  o(    wwl,  u  ln«'l 

ns   ,io\\nxv;\nl    ^ln,,'(h^n.        >\  lien    iIkm     Ii;«i|    pr 

mIhmX    throo    nulo-*,    Uiov    woio    nlMiincd    l>v    ii    riHllniy 


\    I'ondiiiifillv    oliniiiiod 

lo.l 


oroo( 


«-onn.l  ;inu»l^(  (ho  i\-< 


Mill]    in;«ilo  iiihlv  lor  iirlion  ;   litil 


(ho  uo\(  n(oinon(  (hoii  (•ndiriil  }»niilo  »li>»ppo.|  I'miM  ilio 
bcjuuh  M  i\  ivy'i^  in(v>  (ho  w  ;Uoi.  mihI.  \vi(h  inidio*!  anion 
>vrtv«^(i  (honi  (v>  h.^'^ton  onw  :(i»l. 


40 


"  l(  \-i  j:\vxl."  s:u«i  \\i\  "(ho  Sioiiv  »loji>»  jin  on  a  fnl 
iVi\\\.  \\'s\\y>yy  h;(s  tn.v.io  ih,((  (rail.  ai(«l  oo((»i>  haoK  (o  liiH 
jvhIo  h(V(ho(^  lilv<'  (ho  ^^llllrl^>l  (Voiw  ivoo  (o  (io«.  lint 
(ho  v^uMi\  iuv  ounniuii  ;  \vho(»  (hov  h>so  iho  (lail,  (hoy 


will  \vn\o  lo  (lio  \va(o('.      Posh 


\oo  is  also  oiimiiii|j; 


ho 


Hill  loavl  his  palo  Invthors  to  (ho  Uul^xoa  o(  sal\Mv 


Thon  lravi(\ji  (h<>  \>a(<M\  Tosh 


oo. 


as  I 


(o   naii)o«l    intii 


1   h 


fcK  *iij\v(od    (luMn   (o  (Mlow    I 


1M((     (U 


linli 


an   til 


o,  oach 


Moppint:  o\ao(l\  on   (ho  (laok   holoco  hii\i,  (hat  tho  ti'ail 
might  b<^  as  sl-.olu  as  pv^ssiMo.      Thus  (1  «v  wont  on  Ibi 


■■"'  • •"  .....,.,,,„ 


If;? 


ImH 


<n    (I 


'^'""/^  (ill  a 


(ifo.(r„( 


"   "It    lilt  I 


""/     "  M'  !,/.,( 


"I"  /III.,  I 


•  Wlilt'i    t'vt 


"MIIIO 


(( 


"IimII    I 
'^'v  I»ro(| 


'"/'   fMiMMlin,!  I, 
'V«V,    liP   .„i,| 


"  ",    'IH«|   ,| 


(•  M 


'»    M  .  I 


I'l"  M(r/|     I 


'"'IV    Iii,„. 


'""    lilni^;     (I 


"•MMifl,    I) 


I" 


"■'I,  Mf 


""•'"i,'    if.    »/,«, 


<^<      /'MM*  I    ;        I 


•"  til 


/•»  )l«'(« 


•""    '^    "•"    U„iir,,    ^, 


''"  ".».  /),.,,.,.  L> 


'I'l 


'"'"  ""'^'    "'""I    ir,    lil,.  „ 


'""^    ii'Y    f,n,H 

'""f       l<fM,W        jf 


('  fH 


"'  «Mnl<f«  ji,  f) 


»<' 


nuf. 


I"  'Mf  if« 


tM 


P"»»l|fqfM|       f,,       I 


"""•'•'.    «vIm.    i„u„ 


M' 


M      If 


wMlf«    Ml..    i,„i 


W.'.l 


'""i'ljiM-   ,,,|, 


"'f(    >o    fl 


'"'"'",   l.(»f, 


."    (11 


pIi.mvoiI    „    I 
W'iii(|j»i(/    fl, 


<nv 


.'•    I 


''''".  '"y  'low,,, 

"'""'•"<,   h;h| 


'■""."li  (I  I 


''•"'"".  r..  n.i.l   n/    I, 


'"^V.    MMH7 


"••rnMMi/lr,/    I 


M,,f| 


'W  rl,./)    / 


'<if '.I'l 


'•//iwlf<|. 


"r   M 


<''»Vr,«w|     ui(J 


'.V    rnc\m  ,,l 


'    """"'i^'"(r    i„, 


"'"^•i'l'TMM 


"  '•   ^^|.M'  io.,.   |,„||, 


I 


I 


'•V  M((i(((«r,.,| 


'    K"'''M    l.iml 


""""""^''   »•">>.(,    wImH 


(} 


>vt 


l''M. 


♦'V'l-     fJM, 


\] 


',""     I 


I    w.r#5 


""^"''  "''•'"'•  M  'luu,,,.!  ,;r 


^""i„m|,  ,„„|   j„   ,, 


"'''<"»""'-^    of    ,„./< 


!'• 


""'"'I  Willi  (I 


'•'»r|< 


'lo 


W/M/l    / 


1tU(\H\ 


"\"( 


•  •114. 


^"'""'-  "'■  li.'^    friW,,.,/ 


ro 


"»   11."  ^i'/r..   /, 


Jul 


RMOW-!  of    /I 


(1.1/ 


"y  "'"   "*"•'«    rfnn.M    |„„, 


"■   ii]>\><r 


rf'Kq,    liiq 


rnifii   (I 
W'oikI 


'"""if>»fnlr»f|i 


«"rvryf.,|   jj 


M* 


(MIHNM 


',  ofif  n7(.' 


"•'   ''"[T'-^roaM 


'•r 


.•^'S  nri'l   f'xpn.q.f.,! 


"""""•/■,  liml 


0 


"'"'••'•  iIh>  I/ihi,  I 


"'"I    H'lfi.;rMc(io„.         fV,| 


'"  v;irif,fm  w;,y^  ,| 


JHSlifvl 


"'"    ''-'l'"',  Mi/il,   ||,r,   S 


'  ""VMitr  nnrirMinr,.,/   ,/,,,,  , 


'""   ''''nnin,.,/  sornr,  f 


i';ir 


itflC 


\\v\ 


■'•  ''oiic».„|,.,j 

»"'"    '"M    arfiv*.    I 
IM. 


""'X    frii.flif, 


M»M 


nol, 


"•  ff'M^f,  oMif,.raf/. 


'■:   '"".   Hrmllv    /),„ 


^^i-^Vd    ihnl   \l 


If. 


""^"rf  ..l.of,,.  on  I, 


'"■'"      'I,,,,,.;,,-     f 


O     rr 


''Only    ti,. 


"•^  '""ij/itf-nari 


frif 


C.l' 


pnrty. 


>\i:,,.     ^} 


I'; 


-*  '«'i(|  s/i,i,|. 


'^•^    h/-   }(>,,kfyl    „^,     J 


ilg 


i'^<>pio    of   ihv,    lilar,k 


^^'nr    know    fl, 


■i/.? 


t    , 


i 


;  t  {■ 


HM 


TiiK   lUAU-in  Ni  i;km 


•%»( 


\.:.i'- 


ll  is   h(>r(»  (lio  S(jii:nvs,  and   lln'  liltli'  ones,  ami   ihc  h^<sI 


coiut',  wlHMi   the  vodug  Itrnvc^  mto  oiil   dii   Ihc   Imiitmij 
Ir.'U'k,    to    sImv    (he    Ix-mt    sintl    |Im»    ItiillMlo.      IM y    pMlc 


l)roll 


icrs    ;u(>   mxxl    imcii 


ll 


H'V     >V 


ill   nol     niiikc     Pcslioo 


iiiM(l ;  ili('\  xvill  not  say  to  lli<'  Sioux  Mini  llio  Pinviircs, 
*('oiU(»  with  ii?<  Mud  slay  tlir  wonu'ii  and  llic  i'liiUlicn  oi 
(li(^  Hlark  Hear  in  tlwir  ))(>ai'(>riil  lo<l};<'.' " 

Harold  look  the  liaiid  ol'  the  yoiiufjj  Indian,  luul  in 
his  inipjM'loct  lanjinaiic  assured  liini  that  lliry  \v<mo 
brolln'rs  lor  cvci-,  and  jdcd^od  liiuisoU' that  lli(>y  >vould 
n('V(M*  bolray,  l)ut  would,  it'  possihio,  Ih'I|)  hiui  and  liis 
lril>«>.  Isvcn  Scrulon  could  no  l(»n<icr  distrust  llio 
gratotul  man,  who  had  saved  their  liv(\s  by  disclosing 
the  important  secret  which  involved  Iho  safety  of  Ihe 
whole  tT'ihe. 

*'  Mv  brolhiM's  nmst  riMuaiti  h(>re  many  days,"  said 
Peshoo  :  **  till  the  vSioux  rt'turn  to  their  lod;j;es  with 
*niall  hearts,  for  they  bring  no  scalps  to  show  to  their 
stjuaws.  It  is  puxl,  my  brothers  bring  the  flesh  of 
the  bear,  for  the  pale-face  does  not  fast  long  lik(»  the 
red  man  ;  .and  see,  your  scpiaws  m.ay  sleep  well  on   the 


loo  nusec 


I  a 


mats  ot'  my  people."  As  lu*  said  this,  Pesl 
curtjiin  of  sire.aming  criM'ping  pl.ants  and  disclosed  a 
lioHow  in  the  rock,  in  which  were  piled  numerous 
clean,  neatly-woven,  reeii  mats,  which  the  women 
gladly  bronglif  out  .and  spread  round,  that  all  nught 
rest  after  tluMr  day  of  toil  and  anxiety.  ITe.aps  of 
dry  bushes  (Miabhul  them  to  nake  a  tire,  Veshoo  assuring 
them  the  smoke  could  nev<M'  rise  over  the  dills  to  be- 
tray them;  and,  in  spite  ot'thc  certainty  that  they  were 
surrounded  by  formitlable  toes,  never  had  the  travellers 
enjoyed  their  supper  with  a  greater  feeling  of  aocurit;y 
4n(^  oeace. 


•'"'  nil. 


v« 


/) 


""'"*'    ^"M/NTA/N,« 


'Wl/ 


ix'Hi'r  III] 


(I 


.V""   fl.in|<,    \;.^i 


KK». 


"fif's  ? 


(i 


Of 


Nof,   I 


'"    '''»f/VlJ|(.f,    will 


J  as 


"If     /    (U'fy 


I     Oflf.     of 


'""'«',    MM(|     w 


"'v;iMi(„i    / 


"   <'«,i,M   , 


asi 


/( 


only 

h    «''<)Ot 


l>iif 


/ 


"    ''  ""'   Kocnl    lo   k,U 


fi 


'•••    ""    MvUps  ;    |„. 


'lip  S 


"Mswcrf-d    I'rn} 


S.'l 


"'"'    "ol    /|,„|    , 


'/•^  '''f.    fl.o    s 


'""X.       iV'sl 


lOO: 


"">  vvislio.s 


would  J\I 


'»^'I"''«w,  my  fhil 


'"  ^"•■'•'■'    lo,l.r  of 


"""^    ''^"  ;  inil    U't 


and  li,,  d 


"T.   s, 


i.K, 


vv/ 


'"y  p''oj)K,.    'j'j 


wn 


""'"■••"•"'■"'  lod;;.  of  1 1 
"'  liirncd   fi 


'y  '''■''  ^'"sf.oo  I.„d 


"'  vvo/nnri  ? 


Woods 
nic  aw 


"''■'"""  small,   / 


■""•  '".y  '•'''!  hrofi 


J'jr.s 


o\v 


I.J. 


"   "'"   "h>  (;n.a,  s 


'^'"^f  %  /o   ,1,.   „.i,.,^ 


|>iril 


o^'  rnal< 


wll 


'  slionid  Ind 


■"'"f   fo  carry 


'•'•d  I 


)('      IT 


ncvi'(\  if 


.'K  all 


T\ 


'<"'•    s(.|,.,.|i, 


''^■'■'"■S  ivy  tu  rio.,.  „ 


W    Wf'VC.    tit,. 


IS 


P'l'^w    Hiron^di    fl 
^ood-.sizcd 


•;^'   «i'cli  a  I 


'"  <''ifranc(.  " 


Tifar 
and    J 


Miap 


''^'  ^«''<'''(1  it  on  I 


■iollicd. 


'■a;rna.nf    of 


»w 


'ock 


on  I.'cfon'  I 


/'••««san^f.,   vv/iicj 
♦'""M   nor  well 


'»■<   vvou/(J 


I    cfrfa 


in 


"""    ""■    >v,.o,|,    ,„„l 

'"""•"•""  (>,.|,i„,i  ,„«  |,,,iv 

l»V    /lw>      1  ..  •/ 


iini   till  I 


'f'  '''aclK.,!  fl 


'7 
(■orn»'   M,ro„,,f 


o"» 


'>y  il 
I 


•'^ound  of  v( 


'irran;^ri„^,    il 
<''"/ain,  wlien  h 


III 


'"  fnfrancc 
'*    nafnral 


'''    ^'"'^^^1    <o    „,H| 


"^"•^  outshk.     Not  d 


/''"'"Jj  <listing„i,|,ed 


'•s<.'ind    tlio   Jnd 


not    rna 
'lial 


^br    th 


la 


'■  vva.s  sfarfled 
'''■"A'  to  move. 


y   yards    fro^n    |, 


6   «/H'akers  wt 


"    words  wJjIcI 


'i    he 


^<'f«  in  tJio  dim 


'"1  ;    hut    If 


"  ^'OMiprclic/id  II 


'■'^'^^  ^'-''^''s  mad. 


*io 


^«  cfirrainlj 


^-iriafion    of 


'liat    (I 


10 


^''^'7  Iiad  faJi 


'peak 


''  '""^"'ing.     /(,  ,,,^,^, 


'^  'Ji/ficnlf  for  h 


'"'•«    were    n 


i"y    frack 


out,  iiovve\ 


irn 
cr. 


ipot,  i 


n 


^'"^" /'ie  trail  /rom    tJi. 


spite  of  Peshoo 


attempts  to  obJitei 


"'^'   ffiem;    that 
water    to    ti 


:ilS 


ate  it,  and 


I./ 


1 

it  ^7^ 

*                  ,.--■-                                                              .  _    -     -              .            -     .     ,. 

1 

^ , 

J_ 

i 

; 

p 

' 

, 

J.:    : 

I            1 

too                                  THK.    ni' AW-m'N\KU« 

\ 

'i 

thai    llx'v    >v«>r(»  now   disriisHiiif!;   llx'   |iinliMltilily  of    lli* 

J                              Inoilivi^s  haviii})  nsiM'M<l«'«l  llu»  pnMMpiloiis  cliUM.      IImioM 

I  ■        1 

WM'^  V(>x«mI  also  lo  hour  llu'  lrMin|iliii«r  ol'  lior.iM  ;   i;»r   lio 

i. 

'                              I'oros.'iw   llu'  <lilVi«Milty  <>!'   «'^«nitii»«i   iVom    iiKmiilcil    Curs. 

t 

> 

«h 

^                                              t..     .ri..w><     itiivi.ilf     liM     i-fMii!iii)i><l     li'^liMlillir    (ill     ||t(«     VllitMVH 

In  uroM 


tn\i( 


grow  \uon»  diMlMul,  mh  (Im>  |t«>o|(l('  proltMlily  sproutl 
rojiMil  (o  «Mitl('uvor  1«>  HM-ovor  llu<  liMil  ;  (lien  hnviiifr 
llu>  sloMo  wo«l^(Ml  ii\  iho  oponin^  as  near  (o  llio  oiilor 
sm-raoo  of  (1«(»  voc\<  as  ho  «laro»l  lo  v«'iilm<\  ho  «lr<'\v 
hark  doi<HMo«llv  ii)  roport  (»«  l»is  iVioiuls  all  (hiU  ho   hud 

llOHIxl. 


J,,*^,^,  -^^ 


OK    Tin,;    ,,„ 


<'l<y    M<»|;NrAj 


NH. 


201 


(>/[  A  I'f'Ki^     XV 


Brfll».(r,.,I     I 


K 


"    n    Ifofp.  _  fi 


'""l"'i/n.  _|),„    , 


•'''"/{  ('.  f/in,rf 


•  TS, 


Vlvi 


or 


-K  -  -  Till.  f,„„,|  ,,(•  , 


''M"'"''ori    or  II 


'■'(iiiine. 


r(.«i 


m 


^'1   An«<h   fr, 


'""'"/{'•rs.    -  '/I,,,    (, 


'""'h  /iml 


""•    Hit 
ri/MB  of 


ithn 


«fiy. 


N 


r 


«»'r\vfT»iHTANn 


'•'ii/iM  «'«»iiri/,., 


'N«;  II, 


l)H     I 

will 


"•'MM-    )|    H 


'•  '•'■r|(.:|„„„.,j 


M! 


H»i.i.|,  "Ti,,,  ,s 


1"'^".  nu^r.v,]  ,],r  iu 


'"•"ioImIIij  ,,/•  ji 


'""^  «'i"    Mol    |i,„|    ,1 


rvi,f  l»f,^i 


le 


lOf). 


<'llnniMnr;      ,1,,,^     ^^j,| 


UN  8f'f>l<  1 1 


S.'l 


HMU 


»  >» 


^1'"/.     wli 


'''•'■     i»     tVJJM      I 


"•   '"'il;   /li 


"^'  ;  (Im 


'"•  ■^'■'''l'«  ".usf,  h,.  /;„„„, 


y  nif) 


li.'is  Ird 


'••••Mloii  Im(,|u.,| 


"  I 

Nor 


"H    IM|(,  ,'|    I,. 


iiricaxily 


roi 


ii>. 


'I' 


N 


""',  nui]  Hiitd   "  7'j 


7   "O  MH-MIIM,    CMjWni,,     S 


•>VV    vv»!   „,.,,  „,    I 


"M  rruin 


iH  rrifrc 


n  soul  ( 


'vntdii 


U)  slop  lii, 

"  n„f  (I, 


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M. 


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'     'IMHWrnrj    /J.,,.oM. 


I.'IVC 


'I   '>r/IIf,f,   I,. ft 


How  I 


7  '•••"!  Nfarvi 


TI 


'»".i?  will  ,„ir  pr 


(I 


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vision  liolfl  oul,  ?" 


'", '  Hnid  ] 


le. 


Trom    I»(.s|,„o   wl 


'""I    Jfo.I 


nr 


P"«MH'rH.      I 


"il,   was    (I 


y  '''I'Iravorvrl    fo    I 


i( 


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"  ''''/''j,  "ki   Jn,| 


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*';ini 


niHnl>f;r   of  tl 


''••"  rfp,.a/c(i  Kf-vfual 


10 


posilivo  niiMil 


'crs. 


''^  W'>r.lH  not  enal,li,„r  ,, 


fim 


^A 


I 


't'  fin;;e,.H  oxti'iuhil 


ilia 


<'lii(I('(I   I 


about 

/lM(| 


"'  <'s/iinal«-»l    t\ 


one  hundred.      J  J, 
"f>^  /irc-anns;  tl 


"r.  'h;   hrld   out  hi.H/ 
'""^S  frou,    ^],;,.i^    „ 
"'  nunihcr  of  t) 


Ion   t 


"n  to  f'xpnv^.s 
lands  with 


7  con- 


fonid 


not   he 


'"'■'■""■'''  '""1  ""«  lom;.l>a«l< 


"*n-  arrows  wp 


^  <^nt  deep. 


"5  Rnerny  to  ho 

«'"•''  that  t]u,y 

ro.    tnnny  and  (hm- 


«0'; 


rin    m  vi«  imm  i  l«^ 


is' 


J 


.1 

«     ► 


m     a : 


Iff 


"  1  will  i|it»  liK.>  fho  mm  ol"  MoMtjimw,"  niit(itiMi>i1  llio 
IndiMH.  '■  rill*  Sinox  mIiiiII  umI  sri>  IMC  Iri'mltli'.  ii»tr 
l»<';n  nii>  p[ioi»n.  \\\\\  lil  luv  m»o<l  |inl»<  lnoflin'j,  \\ln» 
Kn«M\  liou  to  I'lIK  \Mili  ilit<  (JirMi  Spit  it.  (oil  Hum  io 
l».'  pililnl  l.»  \\\o  w.MM.M  MMil  rliililii'M  ol  rrilmo"'! 
p<<Opl(<  ;  li'll  Ihnt  to  ItllUil  tllr  I'llK'l  |it«MllHM '<  ;•!  |Im> 
prmr«r«.    tI»;U      tl\i\      \\\:\\     Mol      liMtl      the     \\n\      to     |Im> 

Mr.    \\oA\U'\ ,  \\\\<i'\\\u\y   ||ii>    text  liner   'Jnn\t»    Im    (Iio 


It^l 


\:\\\    Whi'M    l>i> 


:nv 


lii^    I'l 


IM'Mi|4     rlliiM 


W'l 


Ml     «|i>\OllMM, 


,IM> 


hM«Kr«<    (mc   m^   hi-:   Inniii'il    Know  IimI;)(>  ol     |Im>    Imm^iiii 
prn\un«'tl,    tiH'd     to    i'mIioIiIi'm     tl\o    poor    imum    in    |Im» 


.IH>\\ 


ho     Miov     iMilnrod 


l<Mijii>    ot     tho    (ttio    liiilh  i    (n\<l 
INshoo  to  Kno«l  (lowti  with  tho    ir<l.  hImIo   ho   roponlod 

K    s'mmI      MM.l      siM1ph>    prUNOf     JM      sMt'h     iniliMM     woiiIm    ih 

ho  oomM  r  v^»Uo('I.  oMtroMlinn  i^otl''^  iMoro\  om  tho  o 
pojUHMul  oh\MroM  ol'  tho  iMtMintMin^i.  I  In*  mimm  nn) 
(\u\iosl  !\\\A  jntonti\o  ;  MM<1  Mi'ior  tho  roMohnHnii  piMvor 
ho  r<'p<\\lo«l  tho  uoi(h.  "Our  !''Mthof."' 

"It     is    {\\u\"    \\o    sMid ;    "tho    (iioMt     Spirit     i«    (ho 


l'\uhof  o(  !»11  XX  ho  :u 


o   llOOi 


Wo  xxill  ;iKo  hoo»MMO  tlu'   l"\(thoi-  ollho 


^r,    MH?>xV(M«»i| 


Mr.   K\>dM 


<M 


XX  ho     lOMXO    0\ll    XVMXS,  ;|M(I    (losirO 


to    h 


r\>»no   hi'*  ohiUii«M\  ;   those  xv  ho  jJiiove  oxer  ihe  pnsl,  niid 
earnostlx  u\o;»m  \o  <1o  ^\hh\  (ov  tho  ('mimi(\" 

IVshvVX  i>MhvMo*l  sihMitlv  (or  sonio  liino  ;  ih^Mi  ho 
soomovl  mon^  tr.uupnl,  :\\u\  saivl  oheotliiUy  :  "  (J<»<!  xvill 
li>ton  to  tho  \xv>i\ls  ol'tho  iiv>otl  pmIo-I'm 


0(VS. 


Haix'thi  tluM»  xvalkeil  imtMsjlx  ivMind  tho  spMciotis 
holKnv  tor  soiuo  tiui<\  smvi^xinji  oiiiionslx-  tho  bnsh- 
twoivd  walls.      \\c  pnnstul  at   hMiiiih  a(   one  spot,  mi(i 


•iau 


i 


C-iptain.    Sorutxni.     \  on    bolouij;    to    (lio    triho   of 


of 


♦»»/       r;,| 


'""Hv    M, 


"  Nr.Afvs. 


M'lM    ; 


clitril 
f.    Mini    I 

fItMf 


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ll  ♦•((,   „,.lil 


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11 


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',    (I 


HIM     .(,,). 


'    "••   "»My   nil 


mil    nil, 
tf 


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ini'l 


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I'  III. 


wr 


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hIii'iM 


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;  "  / 

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Utiwnvy  UU'U 

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♦  i^   H'iI  JM  , 


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f/ 


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find 


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s.  r 


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1 


♦  t 


J 


"  W  .'  n\n -t    \'\\i\'    INItulln  uml    M»<n    'loul    mim  \  uil,  iMi 
l'n<(\iM<,'    riplit'tl    Mi-nKnn  •     "  wwA    one    ol     (In-  i-    l-nU 

"    \\\A  \\.«nMni    ilcH     '(nni-   l»i    mm  'til,  in    it    \A^\7V    \t\ 
n\|M!U>\.     (t  I'll.. I    MiluM   "  I  n'l    i(  ilpMtKnil  I'll  !«»'.  uml  n 


\\\u 


\\:\\\\\ 


•\l    '.\     'Iti'l    •    IvM  (  IH 


w 


ill  v\  iMililu'l  III'  I  'lilt  il  mil  J 


i»»mMiv\  !*>'  unulu  I'l'  li  r\nn.>  liii  ImiIIi  t  \\oiilil  ln'  IiIIIIm 
\\'\'i  i\\\\\  \\\\\\v\ ,  t\\\\\  no  oilii'i  fit  mII  ■  'inij  li<>  in  t  Inn 
km  l\<';nt<'il  <\iili  ili'H    '^-nui',  miil   no  wnmln  i    <  Jml  ■  tn  •• 


«•» 


"  \  r;\n  riMn'i"i\  I' ilu>  ri'i'liin'i  nl    lln'  pnm   Iwm  ,  (  Nipltiln 
»SwnMon."  ^f^iil    Hinolil;   "ilini'vli  I  ilmi"!    lliinit    i(    !il    !ill 


r 


M>^\>;\l>li'    ll\;11    \\i' 


Iionlil    fi'i'iin    I'll!    in   willi     \inilHlr  in 


sn«M\   '.\\\    rMiiionlm-n  \    in-  .uu-i  •    (Inrilnir 


I 


|Mn| 


IMMP 


h'M 


w  r 


\\'\\  I' 


W  ill    mitl     IMi      lii»iliu'\     (n    I'liiiKJ    llip 


rnn'MUv-r,  \xlnli'  >\  r  pili    (In'   rrllnwi    liiun    ilu>   i  inn|ifii  I'-i. 
\     iloni     ^r«'    \>  In     Ui>    'jIumiM    ililiu     il    iniinilc  ;     nif    nil 


»>v»\i\ 


\^\\\<  'A\\\\  ,^\A\\\  liitl    lnM-n  l>n  il\    mipliMi'il  in  linnlfiii|» 
!\^li"«Ml\!M     '.\\\    llii'     Mnnt     ropi'    ilir\    pO'^ir  i-jnl,   \<  itirlt    liny 


n^>^^    ^>>llr\l    \\y  in  !i  n>i 


> 


ttn     -rr 


IMi     ( 'i  nniin,"   Miiiil 


0\»"K,  "  thrVi'"'*  .lolin  Miul  >i»ii.  Iiintj  nirii  like,  >  nii'il 
h;»nil\  be  \\\  («>  Im'  i\innin«\  up  ;niil  ilmvii  lln*  viihIh  lihn 
•AW  old  <'.\\{  ;  sso  I'so  jiHl  liMiil  lip  llii'  lino  Dililo.  tiiiil 
bol:V\  \(  (o  ti  stoni  Ivt'o  jiloll,  lo  '^iiiNo  loi-  II  jMiv  :  il  m.'iy 
l\;»ppo\\  >o'\o  lo  vnn  «loun  slimp,  il  llio  »Mii>inv  roiiiM 
down  on  n<  \\\\\\  m  l>niM»l>i»lo." 

K.'U  l\   \\\:v\    \vt\^   iuinoil  uiili   w   (loiililo  Itm  lollod    lillo, 


a  I 


^>^^^^v^o\•.  t»n>i    hi\lhMs.       1  Uplinn    Soiillon  mihI 


hi.k, 


\villi 


(ho  TosmIossuoss  oI  ihoir  pmro^i^ion,  iisicoiMJoii  liisl,  iIkiw- 
iuij  \\w  <>>pt>  Mllor  ihiMW.  llio  oml  of  which  ihoy  scciiiotj, 
wiih  \\w  pijuuvMl  ki\o\vlo(|ji(»  ol  siiihns,  In  m  sluiil  pino- 
tjv«'  i\[   tho  odgo.  ami   Irl    llu'   rojir  ih»uii,  whirli,  llmiij^fji 


<•^    rrr 


t     Ui 


*'f<f    Mtti'^i 


If'H 


If    nl' 


'"'"(vMMnMl,,/ 


^O.l 


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f  ,<■! 


r/. 


m/Y 


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I'  III 


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Hit, 


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niif 


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TIIK    in.\K-lltM  l;l{M 


**  Arc  ydii  lip  to  11  iain<»ii<)  loud  shout,  ^f:ll]il)?** 

"Try  MU',  iimstrr,"  answcn-d  lie  ;  '•  I'vo  H<'iit  u\y  \t\\m 
uiiltH  al'orc  now." 

'*  Anil  •lolin  lias  luiti  sonic  itnicticc  in  tlic  view  liiilloo 
in  iIh'  linnlin;^-ti«'l(l,"  coiitinin'd  llMiold.  *' Mike,  my 
boy,  wluMi  I  ^ivu  llio  word,  niiiid  yon  scream  like  u 
dozen  fellows." 

"  Won't  I  «lo  the  saine,  y<'r  honor,"  sjiitl  tln^  hoy,  wiiJi 
great  ^h'l' ;  *' won't  I  he  }j;ivin'  them  the  iillaloo  lo  he 
naivinj:;  lor  their  wake,  the  ihaxes!  And  which  of 
them  will  I  he  hitliii;;,  |)lease  sir?" 

*'  1  please,  Mike,  it'  Captain  S^'nilon  do«'s  not  ohj"el," 
replied  Harold,  "that  each  man  shall  shoot  do^'ii  a 
horse;  except  niy^dt",  and  I  will  nnderlak«'  to  win;^ 
yon  swagj^cring  chid',  with  the  t'eathcrs  in  his  ngly 
head." 

There  was  a  general  murmur  of  discontent  ;  and 
Scnilon  said,  "  i\Iercy  is  thrown  away  on  these  scoiin- 
drids,  Mr.  C'rofton.  If  we  dismount  them,  wc;  shall  only 
rxaspcra;e  ihein  to  scale  the  (dills,  and  assail  lis  with  iho 
power  of  niimhers." 

"  V\'ry  well,  then.  Captain  Scrnton,"  answered  llarcdd; 
•*ifonr  tirst  round  fail  lo  put  the  fellows  to  llight,  we  will 
direct  the  second  harrid  against  the  men  themstdvcs. 
Now,  my  men,  make  ready  ;  and  when  I  hold  np  my 
hand,  give  a  jolly  good  cheer,  and  lire  away,  keiqting  an 
eye  on  the  eH'cct." 

Certainlv,  when  the  English  cheer  reverberated  from 
the  rocky  heights,  it  seemed  to  arise  from  a  little  army, 
and  the  simjiltaneous  volley  was  likewise  multiplied  by 
the  echoes  most  wonderfully.  The  chief  fell  mortally 
wonnded  ;  another  man  was  also  prostrated,  and  thrtie 
Horses  overthrown.        Tlu'  panic  among  the   snrprised 


'■"t: 


Jixl 


.""•''  W""  trrmnul 


'M'/ii,„J    l\ 


OIJs 


^l<M»|ir(/    ( 


'<•"•  mon,  /;„, 


'Iw  ,1 


I'Muh- 


nfMMiilifrd 


*'  •'^''''"'•''  Mm'  Im„| 


<'oni 


MH'ti   I, 


M'S 


{'■■I'ilOMs;    (wo  I 


207 


.'•j.c.l 


"/■  IIh.  ittll 


i«'M 


» <'x«'«'|.f  (;,„ 


liof  I 


'■  ""'»«    vvIm,  h 


""■"'(•fllCfl 


»iic(f  (,r  (1,^ 


"»vni^r  f<,.,,„  jIj 


''»•<•  at 


♦  f  N 


nioMiriji,    (/ 


"'  <•*>"« r.'ui(-s.      7'j, 


MM 


"i»  r<>  111 

^'•s  and  tliv  ,1 


<•  '"^lari/jifM 

'/X'f,  i<H>kif| 


fi' 


nof  so 


AllMll 


'"■''^••/"^Mjs,  ro.l 


i< 


^'■••'<l    M.iroJ.I 


'■  "'"'"f   •■"•<!  nnntl 


'T     J.'tlkfli      /o.r,.(j 


'""I'/x'ar- 


or  fi 


"''■^'*  ''^<^'  Hscv.ni,  was 


u 


"'»•  sliof. 


^""  '•"    lii"   Uvo  /i 


"«y  ^'o(m|  i;.||, 


'sl   /. 


*  VV'S 


»l 


lioi 


'.s(',S 


Tli<.  ,.i 


I 


iors( 


"""   .Ji-.J   (I. 


""'y,  u;m| 


'^  "I  fioii/. 


vivor 


and 


volli 


T  Won 


'"ati,  nu,l 


»''VC'r  {AM,/  ,; 


'*"•'*"'''   "/r   (j„.  ,, 


"'•"  "'■  "''^  riders  /id| 


siicrrs.r.d  ;   r) 


'"■""•/"'y/J'llowclM 


'^"""""«'l    and    II 


*<  Xf 


N 


'ilOUMl,    ,1,^. 


() 


H,    ( 


Wood 


"'"'  ••♦"Mj.aoioji 


<*n  il 


a 


"'  <•«' wards  V" 


^';;'''"  N.n.ion,  s/,Mll 


as 


or 


'ki'i{ 


U'C 


;  I'M'  fwo 
'"'I  Ml,.  .s„p. 

"•   wounded 
a<  Toss  fJK, 


'j>|'OS||,.  ,sid, 
"»akf.   ;,   d;<s/ 


<Im1(!    WljciJ    t\ 


"""••^«  •">'/'  'v,,Ii,.d  S 


";'.'  '■"•/'-■•"•">.(  /I,,,,,,, 


1  all 


itr 


^ve  sIjoii Id  l,„t 


"^''''  '-^  "<*  /.ii/ 


<'n/ioM. 


•^  lo 


A  el 


rr 


for 


<'X|MH«^    lo   M, 


nil. 


Oil    II 


'•■'  ^'*  'N  vvasf,«* 


yoii  1 

CVoff 


■^«-      ^^.'"'lofrquicd 


"  '-'"'"'y  Min  vvohI^ 


n-  coiiij-a, 


7» 


"t^'-  /Mlt   I  ho 


on. 


y,  men  ;  jou  l.avc  d, 
<''*'''"y  lo  fl.VM.     j^ 


''^"''>*s  of  our 


OU(! 


your  do 


's  a  vi 


'y: 


(( 


ill 


Al  all 


'i^[ 


*''<>w  us  lo  d 


^^'^■^'"^S  Capfain   S, 


iclory,  M 


<i>(;eMd  and  ex, 


'^*ruton. 


'"''•^'■-^^^''I   Uarol,? 
."':  ^''^'  «"J'I  of  hat,,.. 


thai  (f, 


'''■<w».":r:::r:'^:~"« 


>» 


fi 


lire,  c 


«se  sava-os,  afier  tlut 


'»  <'aiTi,.d  oir  II, 


riJlon, 
custom  of 


'••*^'e  io/f  one 


•<'>«•  wounded.     JJ 


we  all  observed 
'"  t'ivili;.,.d  war- 


"''  ''  'Hnind 


M'e 


sijould 


'"^  «lK»iiId  fl 


IH 


y  even 


"^'   '^♦'  ./fisfi/ied 


in 


)»"'' 


pi 


If  iT 


(.??:"■■■-*-• 


i'. 


208 


THE    BKAR-IIUNTERS 


A\ 


'tw 


iP'- 


ni! 


:i!!'r 


!  1 


■V% 


I   't;    ^.   ,  ., 


'^N 


I     1    M    .H 


introducing  an  enemy  into  tlie  secret  hold  of  the  peace- 
ful Indians.     Therefore,  Mr.  Crofton,  please  to  return." 

"  I'd  like  to  have  gi'en  a  look  at  them  horses,  cap- 
tain," said  John,  hending  over  the  busiies.  ''  I  niver 
can  bide  to  see  'em,  poor  beasts,  lying  yonder,  may-bo 
groaning  like  Christians  ;  and  if  my  master  were  will- 
ing, one  might  likely  have  doctored  'em  up  a  bit." 

"  We'll  hear  what  Peshoo  says  about  it,  .John,"  an- 
swered Harold.  "  It's  fair  that  he  should  be  com- 
mander on  his  own  ground,  as  Ca[)tain  Scruton  is  here. 
Now  for  the  best  scramble  down  we  can  make;  here 
goes,  my  boys." 

Harold,  young  and  active,  soon  slung  himself  down 
the  steep,  and  was  followed  by  the  rest ;  Dick  remain- 
ing to  th'3  last  to  cast  down  the  rope,  which,  he  said, 
Mas  too  good  to  lose,  and  he  didn't  need  it ;  he'd  make 
no  hand  in  grappling  it  to  help  him  down. 

All  were  rejoiced  to  hear  of  the  dispersion  of  the 
Sioux ;  and  as  they  had  carried  away  their  wounded, 
Peshoo  had  no  apprehension  of  their  return ;  but 
granted  the  request  of  John  to  withdraw  the  stone  from 
the  entrance,  that  he  might  look  after  the  Hve  horses 
left  lying.  Having  ascertained  that  no  one  was  visible, 
John  and  his  master  emerged  from  the  passage,  and 
examined  the  animals.  Of  the  two  which  had  been 
shot  last,  one  had  been  so  sligh.ly  iujincd,  that  it 
had  already  risen,  and  was  quietly  grazing.  Two  w(M'e 
quite  dead;  one  was  wounded  past  hope;  th'i  fifth  had 
received  a  ball  in  the  shoulder,  which  John  skilfully 
extracted,  and  applied  some  plaster  to  the  v/ound,  and 
the  horse,  after  neighing  its  gratitude  for  the  good 
sflice,  managed  to  rise  and  graze  with  its  companion. 

"They'll  b'^,  fit  for  work  in  a  day  or  two,  sir,"  said 


«^   THE    ROCKr   MOUKTAms. 


«^"'>n,  rubbino-  h\<  hnr.  i 

'"  ■".  «-;i.';t  "'';'*■;  "r ■•'•■■"- 

""-'■<-■•'  no  ehnnc.  of  J',"!  '"7"' ■'"••"  »»<m"c,I  l.e,- 
'""^  ^  "ut  I'll  a„.„.e.  f„,f  "^  '■"'  ,""--Sl'  yen  .ae 

»"'•  him  for  company."  '  '  '''^"'^'  ''""'"■'Jl  bide 

Hill-old   proposed  to  hobble  ,i 

'«--•<•"  <■<"•  .1.0  ..um.i-i„,.  * ;.  "; ' ""  -'"''"'^  -- 

■••-"■'••'ion,  a,„l  tW-y  M,  ,1     '■'/•',■"   •'''  '""'"''  "'" 

f-l'oo  ,|,en  i,„i,„a,cd  i^^l  '"'"  "'  '■«*•'"■''• 

*7'<"V-r  .•„  tbe  secure  olr;;'  'T"  ""'' ""^ 
'""«-'  <"•  Lis  people,  „.,„•„  t"'  "'™  *;i">rt  '».■  .be 
»"-■""«   10   return,     i,  „..|    v^  k  ^'''"    ''«    ^^"^ 

younger  men  submitted  to  Vbe  "  """"  ''"'Palicnce  the 
^"'  'hey  we  ,  well  sup,  nl  "il"'"'""  '"'"•"«.- day  .■ 
~"l"-ve,l    to  spend    the  ^''■'"•''  ''^■'''-  »»d  th.^. 

'"--'ves  in  'the  ,a  ttVp  «r'^  ''"   ""^'^'^'^ 
■■«'".•«  taught  him  En^hsh  w     >  "'  ''''""  ""^y  i" 

"-  principles  of  rel  :  l:^^  -"  .  '■-'■•"«<-<•  >H-m  i„ 
especially  became  greCv  i,^  e  Tf'"'  *''••  1^*^-7 
"^"".■al  eiid„,vmeu,f  a  7  T''*'"'^  '"  "''^^'ving  the 
nature.  '""  "'"'  ^""P'o  ""Hi  of  this  child  of 

I^wt  there  was  a  e-enei-.l  ..  ■  •  ■ 
f'  "-  retrcit.  and'slo  it'r:;;","'-"  ''-^ '«  '-< 
"-ses,  leaving  Peshoo  to  cW  """  "'"'  "'^'> 

»'«cure  the  trail  as  far  a,?    •,  "  """'""'''''  ^'"^  «> 

M.  ''  P"^^""«-     The  <H.o  horse. 


'«  I  t  I 


tH». 


r-r 


A. 


210 


THK    nEAR-niTNTF.nS 


wuvo.  in  (xood  i'oiidifion,  (itH*  «|iii(«'  jiMo  lo  vvoik,  mv] 
DiMiniM,  with  :i  rcMsoii.-ihlc  wciirlif  of  \y,\<fvr:\vto,  was 
[)Im<'(m1  upon  if.  rii(<  ollirr  vv.'is  led  forvvMid,  lirnpiiif;^  a 
li(ll(\  hill  in  Ji  rail*  wjiy  fo  i-ccovcr  and  become  nsel'nl. 

The  tr.'iv(dlers  conlinned  lo  de.^cend  ihronixh  thick 
woods,  till  helore  eveninijj  they  ha*!  reaidied  Ji  nionj 
open  rcfijion,  atid  n<>xt  inornin<;  they  saw  helore  them 
A  wide  and  extensive  valley,  guarded  on  the  W(!st  hy 
th(»  toweii)i«]^  nionnlains,  and  on  the  east  hy  hi;j;h 
wooded  hills,  and  windinjj:  hetwe<>n  the  ri(l<res  far  to  tho 


soutn 


th 


T 


wro    was     an    appearatuM^    of     soli 


tnd( 


aiK 


r(»|)os(»  in  this  valley,  p(  (-(rclly  relVeshinfj:  to  the  hinited 
fiiixilives.  'I'he  iVesh  ^immmi  herhai;e,  the  spriii<:;  flowers, 
the  chattei'iniX  ol"  bird-,  the  iMisiIinjx  of  squirrels  and 
opossnnis  in  the  tn-es,  and  the  shy  deer  pe(>pin;jj  from 
the  l)nsh(>s,  with  th«>  ^joats  or  dark  hnufe-horned  inonn- 
tain    sheep    on    the    lieiLjhls,    pro.  laimed    a    re<;^ion    of* 


1    IMr.  Rodnev  no  lonirer  wond(M-<'d    that    th 


plenty  ;  and  l^lr.  Kodney  no  lonpjcr  won(i(M'<'«i  that  liuj 
Indians  who  inhabited  this  oasis  in  the  desert  should 
desir(>  to  remain  at  peace. 

The  «>ves  of  the  Indian  jxlist<Mied  as  he  waved  his 
arms  round  atul  said,  "  The  lands  of  Peshoo's  people 
are  pheasant  lands.  It  was  not  well  to  <!;o  far  in  the 
mountains  to  kill  tlu^  b(>ar.  It  is  <iood  t(»  say,  here  the 
Great  Spirit  has  given  <MiouL!;h,  has  lie  not  "jiven  the 
Rnt<d()pe  and  the  bi<j:-horn  for  Ibod,  the  cold  wafer 
when  the  snn    is  hot,  and    th«^   firewood    to  waiim  the 


peo| 
"see  h 


)Ie  when  the  snow  falls.     The  Black   Bear  loves  to 


us  peo[>le  so  ha|)py 


God 


s    name 


b 


)raise( 


I " 


ai( 


1    1> 


enni- 


ture. 


isn't    this    cor.nthry    Canaan    itself,  and   we,  that   nnir- 
mnred   in   the  wilderness,  have  been  brought  into  tho 


piX) 


mised  land,  simiers  as  we  are. 


OK    TIIK.    I'OCKV    MOUNTAINS. 


211 


icr  a 

I 

hick 
iioro 
lirtn 
t  i»y 

o  tlie 
and 

s  !\n<l 

inoini- 
\m    of 
it   lluj 

m1  Ilia 

|)('()|>lo 

■in  the 
Ire  tho 
Ml  tlie 
water 
the 
Ives  to 


Sun*, 

imir- 

lo  the 


''  Aim!  tlial\s  lliriie  \\>v  y(  ;i,  masllnM',"  said  I'c^^y, 
"for  a  weary  man  and  an  nncnnh'niecl  is  y<jnrs(;)l",  wlierj 
the  pain  and  llie  hnn;^er  is  on  yon.  And  yon  niv(!r 
llirnsiinL;,  snic,  to  llini  as  always  sends  hack  the  sun 
allf'r  the  storm  is  jjjone  l»y.  VVorra!  inay-lx;  it'.s  tli« 
way  with  llie  oiild  allo;^(ili('r,  and  don't  wi;  liould  la-lcr 
wImmi  the  stall"  is  hreakin;.;  away  entirely  ?" 

"  We're  all  thaid^lnl  as  we  onjjjlit,  mother  deai',"  said 
JNIary  "lor  His  inereii's  ;  hut  some  shows  it  (juift,  and 
BOiiie  tiilk.s.  Sure,  won't  Will,  poor  lad,  be  thanking 
(iod  in    his  heart,  se(Mn;^  his  lalln'r  waiin't  amon;^  yon 


Bavajz;es. 


i,-n't  it  that  same.  Will? 


William  hlushe<l  as  he  answered,  "  Indeitd,  cousin 
Maiy,  1  was  just  then  thinkin<^  over  my  vexations,  and 
forj^elting  his  mercies.  I  was  wron^^,  1  know;  hut  I'll 
try  to  hv.  what  1  on;^hl  ;  to  have  more  faith  ;  you  set  me 


Mai 


a  jijood  exaniple,  iMary. 

"Thai's  what  she  does  lor  us  all,  lad,"  said  Dick. 
"A  honni(!  lass,  and  a  true  she  is!  and  that  chap  will 
come  in  for  u  jrize  as  she  takes*  out  mate,  (Jod  bless 
her  ! " 

Mary  blushed,  but  did  not  reply;  for  she  j)rudently 
preseived  an  ecjual  Ixdiavior  towards  \u-,v  two  great 
admirers,  John  and  Diek,  fearing  to  cause  dissension 
amongst  tiie  harmonious  community ;  though  the 
amuseul  observ(!rs  vveie  of  the  ojiinion  that  Mary'3 
eye  resti'd  with  more  complacency  on  the  frank,  rough 
sailor  than  on  the  dull,  honest  groom. 

"  And  after  all,"  said  Mr.  llodnev  to  Harold,  as  they 


noticed  the  conversation. 


Jol 


m  is  at   |)i-es(;nt  as  muc 


interested  in  the  good  points  of  the  two  horses  as  in  the 
charms  of  Mary,  and  he  will  be  recoru'iled  to  a  disap- 
pointment more  quietly  than  our  fiery  friend  Dick." 


HI 


M 


>%i| 


m 


!i 


H 


212 


Tin-:    BKAK-HUNTKK8 


AHcr  tiny  liiul  roamed  six  or  sev<Mi  tniles  ulong  the 
ploiisant  valley,  P<'slioo,  pointing  ont  to  Scrntoii  sonie 
distant  objects,  said,  "  It  is  good  ;  now  Peslioo  must  go 
on,  to  say,  my  father  will  see  ii  people  tVom  a  far  land, 
pale  of  face,  and  kind  of  heart.  They  are  great  medi- 
cine men.  They  save  Peshoo  from  death.  Shall  they 
not  come  and  eat  meat  i'.i  the  lodges  of  the  IJlaek  Hear? 
Then  will  my  father  come  to  meet  my  brothers,  and 
bring  them  to  smoke  the  pipe  of  peace  in  his  lodges. 
Peshoo  has  spoken." 

"And  sjioken  very  well,  too,"  said  Scrnton,  wlu'n  the 
speech  was  interpreted  to  him.  "  It  is  a  good  plan  that 
he  should  precede  us  as  an  envoy,  else  who  knows  but 
our  iirst  jxrcetinor  mi<;ht  be  a  shower  of  arrows.  At 
any  rate  we  shall,  by  this  means,  gain  time  to  arrange 
our  defence,  which  may  be  needed.  Hut  I  see  Mr. 
Crofton  thinks  this  Indian  has  not  the  usual  treachery 
of  his  race." 

"  1  would  stake  my  life  on  his  faith,"  said  Harold  im- 
petuously. "  There  is  honesty  written  on  his  brow ; 
and,  moreover,  I  believe  that  we  shall  find  his  people 
all  friendly  towards  us." 

And  Harold  shook  lunuls  with  his  Indian  frie:  d  before 
h«»  «et  out,  with  his  usual  speed,  on  his  errand. 


OF    THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


213 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

»>re5islnf:f  for  tho  Koccptioii.  —  Mosqiiaw,  llic  Iiidiati  Oiief.  —  A  Ho** 
pilabli!  Welcrnie.  —  [iidian  Lifu.  —  A  Substitute  for  tl>o  I'otatoe. — 
Sporting  ill  tho  Woods. 

"  It  is  tlie  custom  of  civili/cd  pooplc,"  said  Captain 
Scruton,  "to  appear  in  full  dress  on  formal  occasi'^ns 
like  this.  It  would  p(;rliaps  bo  advisable  tliat  I  slionld 
unpack  my  dress-coat,"  and  he  looked  niefnliy  ;  !iis 
torn  jacket. 

"  By  nil  means,  Captain  Scruton,"  re])lied  Harold. 
"We  must  all  do  honor  to  the  chief.  Do.vn  with  the 
portmant«'au,  John  ;  be  alert,  my  jj^ood  fellow.  There, 
that  coat  will  do.  But  —  no  —  I  see  sorriethinfi;  more 
appropriate  :  that  very  absurd  brocaded  silk  dressinfj;- 
Q:own,  which  it  pleased  my  senseless  valet  to  pack  up. 
This  will  have  an  imposinj:!^  effect.  When  we  reach  a 
church  and  a  priest  T  will  p;ive  this  to  you,  Mary,  for  a 
wedding-dress.  I  insist  on  you  younpj  scoundrels  not 
lau<;hing;  I  consider  myself  grand.  But,  Rodney,  you 
iiave  surpassed  me." 

Mr.  Rodney  had  clothed  himself  in  his  professor's 
gown,  brought  out  to  distinguish  him  in  learned  societies., 
and,  with  his  fine,  portly  figure,  he  really  looked  digni- 
fied enough  for  a  prince. 

"  Ought  we  not  to  prepare  a  present,"  said  Harold, 
"  J   think  such  is  the  custom.      What  shall  we  oflfer 
Captain  Scruton  ?  " 


ij,. 


>  ••»>:i»/ 


=i!  r 


N%.i/w 


214 


rilK    BKAR-miNrKUS 


'*  Wlij  do  you  Msk  inc,  Mr.  CroCloii,"  !ii\>w«'\<'(l  lio. 
"  Yon  know  mv  (Institution.  The  srn,  nnd  tlir  ImliiU) 
rohlxMN  Ij.'ive  swopl  awjiy  my  all.  1  jun  a  niau  dooiucd 
to  misfortune." 

"Sure,  thin,  captain,"  said  Pc^^iy,  "it's  tliankint]^  Cod 
ye  should  he,  and  not  coinplainin'  at  all.  Wasn't  He 
savin'  yc  from  the  say,  and  the:  hears,  an«l  tlu^  Injuns, 
and  the  famine,  and  hrinjjin'  ye  to  plenty  and  ^I'een 
fn'lds  ajiin,  hlessed  he  I  lis  name.  It's  not  misl'orluuate, 
sure,  at  all !  " 

"I  say,  Rodn<>y,"  asked  Harold,  turnin;»  over  his  pos- 
sessions, "do  you  think  the  chief  would  acccjtt  a  couple 
of  shirts?  It's  hardly  likely  he  should  have  a  large 
stock  of  linen." 

*'  I    think  one  will  he  sutlicient,   Harold,"    answered 


Uodi 


ley 


One  of  the  characteristics  of  the   Indian  is. 


that  he  is  not  jjiven  to  change;  one  shirt,  and  that  gold- 
banded  cap,  will  form  a  noble  ofVering.  Replace  the 
garments  you  hold  ;  he  would  not  understand  how  to 
enter  them  ;  neither  would  he  appreciate  the  comfort 
they  bestow.  For  my  part,  I  shall  j)rLsent  liim  with 
this  handsome,  scarlet,  knitted  comforter,  the  work  of  a 
fair  lad}',  who  has  endowed  me  with  many  tokens  of  her 
industry,  and  of  her  esteem  for  an  ungrateful  object.  I 
shall  not  be  sorry  to  lose  sight  of  this  memorial  of  my 
stony  heart." 

By  the  time  the  travellers  were  dressed,  and  had  ar- 
ranwd  themselves  in  an  imposinir  line,  with  the  Dresents 


ostentatiously  displayed,  a  crowd  was  seen  approaching, 
and  the  little  band  marched  slowly  forward,  in  good 
order,  to  meet  them.  At  the  head  of  the  Indians  was  a 
tall,  fine-looking  old  man,  wearing  a  hea<l-dress  of  col- 
ored feathers,  and  a  robe  of  tanned  skins,  while  round 


OK    TIIK    KOCKl     M01;NT4IN9. 


21, 'i 


his  neck  huw^  si  licavy  rollMr,  <'om|»<»-r(l  of  tlM>  paws  of 
\\\('  fjroMt  hear.  At  liis  sidci  \valk«'<l  liis  son,  a  youth, 
Himilarly  hahitcd,  and  imincdiatrly  al'trr  tlicrn  earn*'  a 
tnxtp  of  men,  rnon;  or  less  (rlolhcd  in  hiiirido  or  d(^er- 
Bkins.  Ill  the  distaiuM!  iniij;ht  ho  discovered  a  erowd  of 
inovin;^  fij^iires,  which  the  traveHers  pronounced,  l)y  a 
hohl  fi;!;nre  of  speech,  to  h(^  the  represcMitatives  of  the  fair 
PCX,  and  who  would  he  naturally  cuiious  to  hehold  that 
8tran;^e  anomaly  in  creation  —  a  white-faced  man,  cov- 
ered with  a  superfluous  ami  cunihrou.s  variety  of  gar- 
ments, as  Peshoo  would  doid)tIess  report. 

When  near  enou;z:h  to  he  heard,  tlu;  old  chief,  in  a 
fli;j;nified  manner,  gravely  addressed  his  visitors  in  his 
own  language  :  —  "  My  sons  from  a  far  land  are  welcome 
to  the  lodges  of  their  great  father.  Mos(jiij\w  is  a  great 
chief,  he  has  slain  matiy  hears;  he  wears  these  trophies 
that  the  Sioux  and  the  Pawnees  may  know  that  he  is  a 
hrave.  Uut  Mos(|Maw  is  very  pitiful ;  he  does  not  love 
to  kill  the  feehle  woman  or  the  helpless  (rhild  ;  he  wears 
no  scalps  at  his  girtlle,  though  his  arrows  are  sharp  to 
slay  the  had  men  that  would  hring  war  to  his  peaceful 
lodges.  The  pale-faces  come  in  peace  ;  tht;y  are  his 
children.     Mosquaw  has  spoken." 

Harold,  who  was  the  most  ready  speaker,  rejdied  in  a 
complimentary  oration,  arranged  with  as  much  skill  a3 
his  slender  stock  of  words  permitted.  lie  eulogized  the 
humanity  of  the  chief,  and  commended  those  peaceful 
hahits  which  weie  so  much  beloved  by  white  men;  yet 
as  he  said  this,  Harold  sighed  to  think  how  much  evil 
had  been  introduced  among  the  native  tribes  by  men 
who  called  themselves  Christians,  and  secretly  resolved 
that  he  at  least  would  act  u{)  to  his  profession. 

Then  the  presents  were  offered  to  the  chief,  with  a 


ill 


Mfii 


1*  ;! 


I:i1?^i^^» 


f^* 


216 


TIIK    BICAK-UIINTICKS 


ix'tr.iori  llint  lie  would  for  h  .mIioi'I  time  oxlciid  liis  lio^' 
pitality  to  tliem  ;  that  those  who  iicccU'd  it  mi;j;ht  have 
Hii  interval  of  rest.  Mosqiiaw  looked  wiui  adiiiiratioii 
on  tlu»  gifts,  and  iinniedialoly  invested  himself  with  the 
order  of  the  scarlet  scarf,  which  he  (lun«;  over  his  shoul- 
ders with  soni(^  n;race ;  the  rest  of  the  treasures  he  com- 
mitted to  the  char^jje  of  his  foilowcM's,  while  he  invited 
the  travelliM's  to  follow  him  to  the  lodj^es. 

Great  was  the  wonder,  the  t(M'ror,  and  the  admira- 
tion excited  by  the  appearance  of  the  stran«2;e  people; 
tlu^  children  screamed,  and  the  women  dividt'd  their 
attention  between  the  |)ale-faces,  covered  with  the 
beards  and  whiskers,  untrimmed  throni;h  many  weeks, 
anil  the  extraordinary  and,  as  they  tliouj^ht,  utnieces- 
sary  amount  of  clothing.  Yet  many  exclamations  of 
atlmiration  were  uttered  at  the  sight  of  Rodney 'a 
robes,  Harold's  splendid  brocade,  and  tlu;  small  black 
silk  bomiets  worn  by  Peggy  and  MaiT,  which  were 
evidentJy  considered  to  form  part  of  the  natural  wo- 
man. 

The  travellers  looked  with  pleasure  on  the  pic- 
turesque scene  of  the  Indian  village  now  in  sight.  The 
lodges  were  scattered  over  the  sloping  side  of  the  val- 
ley, facing  the  east,  and  protected  at  the  back  by  the 
mountains ;  before  them  extended  the  green  sward,  dot- 
ted over  with  tall  timber  trees,  now  wearing  the  livery 
of  spring.  But  before  they  reached  the  lodges,  it  was 
necessary  to  cross  a  considerable  river,  which  flowed 
from  the  mountains,  crossed  the  valley,  and  effecting 
a  pa.ssage  through  t'le  opposite  green  hills,  poured  down 
to  the  lower  prairies. 

Two  large  canoes  were  in  waiting  for  the  expected 
(guests,  and  they  were  paddled  across  by  the  attendants 


^^  ""'  (/lief,  w] 


^^   THK    noCKT    MOrxTAr.Vs. 


217 


ovrr 


'"    >*inall(;i' 


'^^  ^^'/i.   Ih(.  n.st  of  I 


<'.'III{)C 


«II    of 


"'J     la;i(|,.,| 


wliicj 


P'";""'J  o„t  to  A[,.  ,i,„, 


'^  wo,.,.    (..,n.|-„jj^ 


""'     C'.-.|,(.,i„     S: 


''-'•oMortheviiw.:;::^r'  '^--''i  ^' 


'rii((,i| 


th 


0  niiirhf^  ,„,„„,j 


"!"'^'  '>'-"l"caMl  by  tl.o  l.ill 


''«     8*:: 


'<'iire 


aocossil,!,  ,,t  tl.o  „„,t, 


^'"S  .'lllfl   rJu;  ,J, 


vvnnis  (lisoov<M-(!(l  f) 


and  on   this  f 


■^'''|)  river.     Jt 


X  at  the  cast 


was 


trahl 


Way  ac 


*'  t-«<'tns  had  I 


'•■'f  'i  /onnidahh,  ,h,t 


''""fior  thoj  aft 


only 


er- 


JVfoj 


i'oss  tho  valj 


'"'■'•  Planfed,  and 


(M 


''"ce  of  im/x-ne- 
^•'i'»  a  considerable 


^ore   ah' 


'H"^^^  ^iH'n  anno,nu.od 


■('a( 


'I7 


('nij)|()j(.,i 


''•at  somo  of  I 


ilS 


necessary  fb,.   j 
««'"l"<'fed    them  all 


"'^   ^i^^UovH  :   nn,' 


'"  •-'•'•c'tinc,   the  shVh 


^ound  al 


oi'  broiled 


'•^'•'fly  spread 


fo  1 


»'"'    in  fhe  m 


people 
t  iodfres 


"s  own  dwell 


'■'«'•    tinif.  he 


'>'>  mats  u 


Wj'(!k( 


»'0<>fS  and 
enterti 


or  bak(Mj    b,;.^,....  ^,,.^, 


pon  th 


"fe'j  where  tl 


le 


«  fe''-onnd  a  feast 


^-^'"'•k,    and    sorn 


'n  defi 


'J    cakes 
'•ince  of  the 


''  «^''-vvd  on    platters  of 
•o'nposed    of    b,-nised 


''"^'''    '^7  the  histid 


"•'•t'pressibi 


with 


not    be  conducted 
or  curiosity  hidneed  tl 

ti)e  Whnlr.v.w. /r.      . 


"I's    that    tl 


e  suspieions 


•'^^•'•upulous   eleaid 


''f3  cookery  mi^rht 


wliolesonie  efr'ect  of  tl 


^^''»  to  eat  all  of  the  eak 


'"CSS,  hun.rer 


cansed  theni  to 


that  tl 
bread, 


ei 


"^=5  preparation  w, 


»cir  hiborioi. 
W;  and  thou'di  b 


<'S  wijich 


Then  the  lud 
'•Jv^'r  iu  buek,.ts 
drini, 


^"»'l  Iicalthy  lite 

^';  fitter,  they  agreed 

'titute  fbr 


'i^s  a  veiy  tolerable  sub; 


''^n   women    broun-| 


of  wicl^ 


■^"•fcups  of  the  travelL 


'^<'r-woik  ;  and   wl, 


'f-  ^vat(>r   f,o,n    the 


''"    fl«c    fin 


^P;-essions  of  wonder  we."  ^t^'t  7'""''  ^'"'^-'<^ 
f  ^J-  simple  Indians  h  d  f.  /^  '  "'  '"  ^'"^^^'^'^^ 
.^-"-r  than  a  smaller  ba  k  t  o  v  '"''''''  '^'^  ^'^-8 
«ng-vessel.  '^"^  "^  vvicker-work  for  a  drink- 


if  J 


can  fall 


on  a 


g"^°'l    bit  of  W00.1 ,"  ^.id  Wl, 


Ijaiu, 


!    '  ■   I 


M«|l  fill 


.1 « '* 


^' 


1  <  ^  'vlil'ht^ 


(i'l 


t|i^    i: 


218 


TIIK    nKAU-IIlNTKUS 


"I  OMii  (Mit  some  ('111)8  out  willi  my  knife,  niid  some 
liciu'hcis  t(-() ;  (or  it  is  a  (lis;;iistin^  pliin  ior  all  to  cat 
out  of  tlie  same  disli." 

"Sure,  William  AruclifTi',"  said  Pc^r^y,  "  isn*t  it 
overly  nice  you're  Itein;;,  nn<l  Enj^lisli  alloj^ellier 
Wasn't  it  ill  the  oiild  cabin  in  our  own  bloHscd  land 
we  vver(5  atin'  the  best  of  pratees,  iv'ry  soul  of  us,  out 
of  th(»  bijj;  bowl,  and  thanking?  God  W(^  were  to  sc('  them 
there;  and  wouldn't  it  be  friendly  to  be  atin'  <z;oo(l 
mate  with  these  same  savji;j;es,  having  the  open  heart 
and  hand,  the  eraturs?  And  sure  woiddn't  \\'i\  be 
niver  mindin'  them  being  badly  ofV  for  clothes,  more's 
their  sorrow  ! " 

After  all,  they  made  a  lieMrty  repast,  rude  as  it  was; 
tluMi  Dick  and  John  unloaded  the  sound  horse,  dressed 
the  wound  of  the  sick  animal,  and  hastily  fenced  off, 
with  bashes  cut  down  from  the  mountain,  a  corral  or 
enclosure  for  tlu;  horses,  whert;  they  left  them  to  feed 
and  rest,  and  be  stared  at  by  tlu;  children,  who  had 
never  yet  seen  the  strange  (juadruped  ;  though  tnaiiy 
of  the  older  people  reuKMubered  bitterly  the  days 
when  tbey  possessed  the  usefnl  creatures.  'J'hen  all 
assisted  at  the  huts,  which  wen;  soon  complet(Ml; 
«nd  beds  of  twigs  and  fresh  grass  invited  tlu;  wan- 
derers  to  sleep,  and  dream  hapi)ily  of  home  and  distant 
fi'iends. 

Early  next  morning  they  gathered  outside  their  wig- 
wams, to  Took  round  the  new  locality,  and  consider  their 
prospects. 

"  What  are  we  to  do,  my  boys  ? "  said  Harold. 
**  Are  we  to  establish  ourstdves  quietly  amongst  these 
Indians,  and  adopt  their  life  of  freedcmi  and  idleness? 
If  so,  we  might  as  well  commence  in  earnest,  and  doff 


"'^'""•^"OCKfMOP.TAms. 


Ol'l'  flU|)(.,fI,u„„  ,J 


219 


Ar. 


<i 


)'""  ^yillUxr  ,o 


'•.'IjX'i 


''•''^-       '^Vl.Mf    ,1, 


() 


My 


t'X('c|I,.„f 


""''OMic  a  ,v,| 


t'liorf 
t)i(>  i 


I"'/''l, 


»» 


Mi;in  > 


!•( 


fir 


If   fo 


'•'•0    fli.-if 


'P''<''1    U(h| 


^'Xisfeiioo,     J 


/eii 


•r  <'xlravj|. 


IK 


%     "/ 


«in('(* 


••irn  ;>,■(. 


>'""  ""tj  /)r(,j 


'••^s  will    ) 


>(»S(' 


""<'e  ()/'  civil 


'^y  '-'i^^t-^  rolainin.r   | 


'  'o  n'/naii,  |, 


'av(!   h„t    ^ 


tUii  ch 


IW8  of   f|,(,  j 


'2.'I/I0I|,    ,ui(]    J 


^^  'lovvovcr,  iIk;  ,], 


nl 


"'«iy  jet  („K:e  ,„ 


K'nv 


Jind  f/ 


N 


u 


mind  fliaf 


'•«  '''"",  Mr.  Rod 


<"■«  .S(JC 


"<*V('j'  iiun-o.  t 


'"'""^'  always  rl.af 

'"  '""•••'/.."ink  or  fi,,  J,;;; 


<'*'"t  .•i/)/)rar. 

<'^<VI|)innr 


'^y  own  bed 


loved 


lan. 


o  V 


'■''<'"i'««N  /io,n 


it's  ]y 


and 


"•^'  ''^'iiii?  and 


fe'""'l  <laIo  can  lie 


aid    1), 


""'^'^  God  uiJI 


III'''. 


**  ^''^'e  hand,  and 


tl'e   liajdiens;    and 
J-esave  a  man  of  i, 
his  k 

h'^e,    this 
channfino-." 


wai'ni   it 
need 


aid  /or  f). 


'''iinis,  "  i( 


■s  in  I, 


IS 


'  and  thc/n  I 


"^  •^arnc,  so 


•7 


cini? 


"'^'  ''o^finiotion   ah 


'''^''"^'  niato 


"'aybo    W(,nhhi't    I 


'>;.•;('(  I 


''P"'g  and  Jod 


irninrr  i,,fy  j, 


>o    ol 


I  CI-. 


'*-'"•  town,  and 


>Jf'<'fij 


^^'''*e    lad  in 


5'"^^  at    the  h,.ste.     J, 


';r  U) 


^'"vti  him 


«>   sir 


ti 


w 


a"(l,    plaso    God,  i 


e  must   cerr, 


«  an  UfKjiiict 
'd    h(. 


provision." 
the  phice  pi. 

ieave  the  old 

and 


(in 


'7 
I'uton 


aid  8c 
<-'ase.  hin.,  J    j,„ 


^•cmain   (o  j 


smd 


■''pair  and    tak 


'■^''»"7»  Mr.  lio,h 


n)an  here      Tf  ,       i , 
"^'«-     It  would 


'  '    ':^«  ^vhy  vve  shonhl 


e  in 

'y,  it' 


a 


we  .sliould  make  bett 


n't 


of  lite 


:;'"«t  knew  more  of  tlie 


^'^  way  vvithom  him  " 


I'^^hten  our  vessel. 


aid 


«^>andon  the  poor  old 
•'"^  to  live  and  die  in  tC 


^'•-  ^^odney,  .M.;nir;'  ^'^"'  -^^ 


man 


m   this  wild 


give  my  con 


"-^ent  lo 


amon^  so 
Is  it  1 


leniess,  Ic 


« 


many, 


ind 


'^^'"'  the  masther  beh 


•"-wiiTOs,  jeav  iin 
--^  ^ind  of  solitude,  aicillf 


^'"J  •'  "  exclaimed  J: 


"'u.jrnantly.     .r^.  -••.-..     exciai 

^^ents    themselves    nh?       /'^    ''"   ^'''''^' 
'*eh,  niver  car  n^.  ,.i 


eiT] 


er  carirjg  about    the 


'^'    than    the 
^«wls   and 


220 


•IIIK    nKAH-lllINTI'.U^ 


i   :>  : 


nil 


i  f 


u 


bodies  of  {\\o  poorl  Woria  !  worm!  woiildii'l  I  !»♦ 
i«ivn)iir  liim  «»n  my  l»ii  "k,  innl  Mikr  rnd  Will  lirlpiii 
Mumcr  nor  lax  in'  him  to  In;  catni  up  Uy  iIk  liayllini 
lavages  ?  " 

"  And  a  t()uj:;h  meal  lu'M  Im^  to  tln'fn,  moliuT,"  said 
Difk.  "  Hill  you  hv  oasy,  I  tell  you,  iIm'  old  IMIow 
iliall  do  Jus(  as  ho  ploa^cs,  and  we'll  all  lend  a  hand  to 
get  (hrou^ih  the  reels  and  sand-haidvs  as  we're  sailain  to 
run  on  alore  we  eomc^  to  poll.  So  you  just  keep  a 
i'annv  tonjiue,  honey,  while  we  lay  at  aneluji".  Time 
enouj;h  to  pipe  to  quarters  when  we  hear  tin;  Ih'sl  j;u 
lired." 

"At  any  ral«",  we  mav  find  some  amusement  liere  for 
a  time,"  said  Harold.  "  l-'or  my  part  I  intend  as  soon 
as  we  have  atteiuled  the  levee  ol"  our  nionareh,  to  take 
ritle    tt)    the  mountain    woods,  and    lora^re  for  the 


n 


my 

camp. 


\\' 


lo  w  ill  join  me 


Dick  was  enjia^ed  in  fiuishini!;  the  huts  after  his  own 
faney,  and  dohn  was  ruhhinu;  down  tlu^  horses,  to  make 
ihem,  he  sagely  observed,  "look  like  Christian  beasts." 

*'  Sure,  wouldn't  I  be  williti;j;  to  make  one,"  said  Tat 
the  rajij::;ed,  lookinj^  bohlly  up  to  Harold,  and  waving  a 
stout  stiek  as  tall  as  liim.^^u". 

"  You  little  raseal,"  answered  Harold,  laughing, 
"what  could  1  «lo  with  you?  Some  of  the  monkey 
tribe  would  be  t-arrying  you  otV,  taking  you  for  one  of 
their  own  cubs  dressed  in  borrowed  plumes.  Stay  at 
honie,  my  boy,  and  help  the  women  lo  fetch  water." 

Pat  looked  sullen  and  rebellious;  and  Mike  said, — 
**  Wouldn't  I  be  helpin'  yer  honner  finely  ?  Wouldn't  I 
be  vexin'  the  baste,  and  bringin'  him  out  of  his  den : 
and  wouldn't  I  be  the  boy  to  give  him  the  ether  shot 
ihroiiuh  his  heart,  barrin'  ver  honner  wasn't  killing  hiu 


'^oml 


OIK    H-ifl, 


'»'"'  """'h  ihrur  nit 


An.l 


(t<Ti 


•  I 


"'«!;    "|,„t 


V'»"    hIimII    f 


'«'iTil»|«.  A/ 

ciiur 


Wf     Mills/ 


'AINH. 


"  Mlllf.  slu.f     f 


22) 


HMI, 


"'•(lunv  wi/l,  j 


''''"Miiii    „(    J 


'  "•"•  innuU.      II 


IP- 


I}'    "• 


lis    (|«r 


l|« 


i' 


f^Vi'i'cl 


iniKT. 


•n'cid 


';i«'«' 


W/IS     ns      jM-of 


"•'^  «^  »  'S/'M„is|,  J 


ii>f« 


l"'"P''»-f.V,    nri.I 


'"sf,  o/r.'i 


in    I 


H. 


Hk'Hisj'Iv 


•'vcri    J,i, 


'"/.'  fo  1,1 


t'ornjil 


r  if'/iln 


CH 


""•r  iio,M.,i  „of 


<T 


liiir 


^^'ith  .sj|,.|( 
only  I 


'•''"/•''■;  i.ut  th, 


l* 


;:'■"  ;■■  "--'•  ".-ir  u,„i 

'»•"   <lo  Vf.ii  I...: 


•'""'   /W«MI(|s| 
"   /"ovi,/,.   (I 


"/'.  niuj  a 


K 


T    <'on/c,ifc,| 
'"•'■'I  lii/ri 


MS 


'llilll 


J'<Mi    hrlo^r    |}„.    ^, 


''■i<MfI> 


'"»;^('Iv(.s  vvid 


'   "K-af. 


'"••"' ^"   nski',1    ti 


/"''^P'«3  (o  drink 


S 


'<»"x  and   |> 


""■;.''<(    loo/, 

5lOV(!(|." 


/ivvMccs. 
'<    on    j/„. 


"'    cliifl 


'■''■^^''"''r  Jliat  ,1 


tt 


r  d, 


'''V<'H  f|,f,  r,.^| 


♦!/  a 


""',  Iil<(;    (I 


'"    "ot   wis!, 


IC 


wand 


nii'd 


K'MK 


-'■• '"^  '^''M,r  uk,,  jvf 


''rin£? 


water 


and 


iUit  II 


•  rold 


w'al(!r;  " 


placed 
was  all    tl 


;      in    /a,.f 


pnid.'ndy  ,h,rl 


"•^'inavv 
'•'•rnain    un- 


irif'd  t 


J>rodn(.o  thu  «f| 


f'»* 


nicd 


wliici 


/ 


11 


illy 


"'  '•<'niain,s  (,/■  f| 


f*«"i(Mvlia(,  d 


'•<^^<'i-V(;d    /o 


"^''""  •^'^"•^'•^    of   Air.  If 
'"ir  Kfofl.   1    ..  . 


1  was 


'*       i'U\i'l,r( 


^'o('l<,  and    tl 


'<>(l 


U( 


7» 


nfic 


M'as    a 
wliicli 


'■-^••Ppoin/cd,  and    II; 


Tl 


'^'«  to  deny  I, 


to  tl 


Would 


I'n    fJii 


trold 


'f'    cliief 


"^  was  care;. 


i'< 


scernc'd 


ionisel 


i'lown    thin 


prol,aI»ly  l,a,.,. 
^'^'«-     lUn  til 


^^rcat    tcnipfai 


•^'*'<'''tl    tliat    h( 


(r^ 


i'  cuviosi 


P'-oduccd   miKd 


'Oil    to   evil 


'"•^    ^'"<'sts    with    sto 
whi<;I 


^•'■^•^^''l  a  way,  and    I 


^7  of  M 


'  vexation 


'h!  a 


osc/naw  for  (,„. 
"'"    ^'"('^rtained 


should 


"'"1    intones   o/'  <i„.     I  '"I'^nained 

«<iMev  nm.>^.....i     .  "   "'«  ^onnaaMe  i>..._ 


-7  l>'-opo8ed,    h 


and 

19  41' 


rnoi 


'^  (^xcitino- 


f-  hears. 
^'■'^    J)arty 


'^  ^i'oi-t  of  huh'alo 


t>'. 


THK  nrAiMiiiNnnH 

hiinlin^:  but  IMosqunw  rxplninctl  iIidI  »ih'!i  mii  ('X|k'- 
(lilion  must  iiu<vilMl)iy  Ic.'ui  tlinu  nriiuM'  to  llio  iiniintK 
of  (iMUjjcrons  trilx's;  tlio  j^rcMt  srnnil}'  ol  thin  s(M'Iii(I<mI 
valley  Immujt  »)uin^,  in  i\  i\vr;\\  incjisun',  to  its  dislaiH'w 
fnnn  the  hiilVah)  ^romnls. 

The  ehasc  was  then  r«  Inclantly  tlelrrrrd,  aixl  in  iho 
fiK'an  time  ev«M  y  hour  iu>pn>v«M|  tluir  aequaiulauro 
with  th«»  lau^uaLje  au«l  hahils  ol'  each  olh<>r;  uiiil  IMr. 
K(^(luey  \v.'V8  eon\  iuerd  that  a  litth>  iustrurlioii  hcMtowotl 
oil  tills  intellii;«M>t  and  peaceful  peoph>  wouhl  lead  them 
to  th(»  aeeeplanet*  of  that  l»lesse»l  lailh,  the  tjood  IVuilM 
of  whieli  are  *  peaee  on  earth,  and  }j;ood-\vill  towards 
men."  The  women  emj>hived  their  tiuu»  in  eookin<]^, 
and  in  rejiairinu;  the  damaui^s  the  journey  had  elleeled, 
in  the  uarnKMits  o(  Mike  and  Tat  espc'eially,  who  had 
no  suvjdns  stoek  to  tall  hack  on.  Thi^y  wcm-o  usually 
surroundtMl  by  a  crowd  of  wonder-stricktMi  and  adniir- 
lii»r  Indian  wonuui,  with  whom  (lu'y  soon  be^an  to  h«dd 
intimate  comunmion. 

William,  after  C(>nsultini:  th<»  authorities,  an<l  at  th« 
earn(\st  <lesire  o\'  Dennis,  duijj  u  patch  of  L!;r«>und  on  iv 
sunny  sloi)e,  and  planl»>d  in  it  the  small  retnains  of  tho 
potatoes,  which  l\o«li\ey  Ixdit^vt'd  would  ijjrow  rapidly 
in  this  soil  and  climate.  Uut  this  state  of  repose  could 
not  last  long,  for  the  n(M>nday  rei>ast  of  the  travellers 
was  attended  l)v  "^o  many  v'sitors,  that  it  was  plain 
llu^v  must  soon  seek  iVesh  supplies,  or  throw  tlu-msidves 
entirely  on  tlu*  hospitality  of  the  Indians,  who  showed 
no  desire  to  seek  fotxl  till  it  was  absiduteiy  necessary,  but, 
with  the  usual  imiuvvidencc  of  wild  tribes,  alteriuit<dy 
feasted  and  fasted.  '.id(d»'ntly  careless  oi'  the  morrow. 

riieretore,  knowiuvr  their  vi^^itoi's  had  not  yot  ex 
bausted  their  moat,  the  Indians  wore  reluctant  to  join 


i 


''"•"»    in    tUr    ,.| 


"""''"'^'    """<^    MO.Nr.m.S. 


INnI 


"•«";  /u:,f   wl 


'""   ^'"^   ""•   onlv    nv! 


ir'f 


'•  "'    '''"^''li,  fl 


M 


"l/Ul    wli 


i?2.7 


.y  ^'f  oiih 


r"'"'".'"^" '•'„„„  Mil.,,   ,:";;"r "'""'«".  «o. 


';■''     '"'VV   r"M,M,J;     J.,    ) 


'•'in  Won 


i;i'l   I 


7  '■'•niMifif.,1  fo 


its 


U 


"  ::""  "''  ^vin,.|,  „.,.  ..^ 


"'"  l""''"''n-..,„  ,„, 


"■'•"    «'/n|,f,.,|    f 


o 


MItl 


lir 


■'^P'"';,'  liv(./y  I 


k«■^  w 


tl 


"'     '•*»(»!,  H(»»M(>VV|),'1/ 


"'  ''''"ArMi/r,!    i,  „,    / 


'•r»« 


m,'M|» 


/>l.'uit 


Mild 


i» 


'"      |">lMf(M, 


<Im'   t, 


'"    sijlisin 


"^•'MiMi,,,,    II 


'■sf>n//, 


in 


"   'Si  1,1,  „l 


l(! 


rice 


llldlirrj 


'■''I'lisli   i„  / 


n\\<. 


'-   'vwri   ,,/ 


"'•"I    jirMJ 


IllCfl    WCR- 

«f*"r(>(l  (I,,.  I 


•■A^^' 


niiicl 


7 
7,  w) 


■'••      I'/.(,  vvl 


'••'•  hl.k 


Ml'/-. 


'"  ^^''^    ""■    Mlfmif/, 


'♦'■^''   Tools   to 


>01 


icr 


'J'J 


'"  ''M"n„„.„f,  anri 


I"    W'O- 


lo 


vv;iM 


'rill  s||.||)(. 
n.'ii(,|,|  ,„„|   , 

»"•'  iN'slioo 
P'"i<'<l  (Iicrn 
i"^'  wood 

I 


>    like   (I 


l"'''S''nf  iiso    «' 


or 


'"    '■''•''    P'-»'t;(!    Usfrlr   I 


««'*'in 


'« 


>  '>»mn'  fix, 


""^  "'''•'I'liiiif,  AJil. 


'"•""'''    Mid.     /lis     J 


'^"    '■'"•'•''=''   '•Mcl,    .,     ,i„, 


<'\'<'»'    fO/fi, 


>o 


oil 


'<)  a 


"""«''  wlii,.),   ,1 


^'''"•'^''''■'•.MMr      /MU.rj 


^     /"'"'H     fllloorrl,     ,J 


vv  and  sjH.ar.      /[ 


o 


"■*■""''  H  nv(;,  1,^,,, 
'"  <'"""  (Ik;  fools! 


'^  'uuTow  sin 


II.  lo    n-acj 


'  ''  grassy 


""■•;""'-""l'o  hanks  1,0 


t(  'I' 


Tl 


"1"^  "n.nin.al, 


l"'  ^(ivvrid    v\d,i(;l 

poi'i led  ofjf 


liid 


'cs 


"«     IS    III,,    I„,i,- "  I 


rrorn    fji 


tl 


flio  f, 
^vill  kill  rn, 


'5   rod 
0  tl 


'    'K'  said  ;   "  | 


""^"'      8^-'o    in-ro,  x\ 


'''    '''  ^"'7  Hly ;  Ui^ 


"•  "''"'^-     And  iliis,  M 


»  (lio   elk  :  I 


)f.; 


10 


^'    J'l'MH    to    th 


u:  } 


;  /lo    i,s 
'i'v'iorn  of 


'«  Mind.     "'I,,,  ^i 


(4 


"  That 
Is  tlie  P 


xny  hwl 


/•(>s 


lorjj. 


''  '■'^'•'•'  to  iIk  wood,  to 
'^"^'''•^•^■'^7paIob,-oriier 


^'^'"^'J    Ik;  poo 
■•""'»  <o  be,  /ound  li' 


''  ^V'n%  Vc^i 


^"t  Peshoo  ^'  k 


ore 


v» 


'"<^/'  «aid    iraiolcj. 


^hyiofh 


IS 


"^'w^  not"tlu>  p 
P"^*kct-book,  sketched 


""la,  till  irarold, 
tlie  form  cf  (j.^ 


on 
anif 


^'J 


rn 


rin    III  \  It  iMN  1 1  iin 


$a. 


If 


!j|; 


\n;\\,  wliirli  !)t'  n'rooni/t'd  Im    (lie  ImiiiiM  imiiih'  t\\'  ft'oittt- 
fotfivo,  wwA  witiili  (In'  AiiUMiciiii'i  cull   ilii>  |iMiillnr. 


riw>  (  «oiui70llill'M,"  lie  H!ii»|.  "  IM  lii>ir«'  midI  ruutinHv 


li<>    wtilt'lioq   Tor    |Im>    mmI     imiii     in    llii<     lliiiK 
R)Min^'4  iijtoii    l\ini  iiihI  ilviiik'^    lii^  IiIoihI.       II 
io  (I 


W  *MM| 


o  ruliicq   lint 


u'  iMoiinliuiH  ;    ln'  IihIi<m  im    (Mr  Iok-sIm  wImii    (Iii'  siiii 
pjiino^  t\\  mill  tlnv/*  inul  Ik*  ptiiiilcil  lowiinl^  lli«<  '^uiilli. 

"\       h\\0\\\\\       lilit'      lO    lltl\l>     II     kIioI      III       tllP       lollll    lltlllltMl 

lu»»r.(,"  Piiiil  Ilnioltl;  "lull  jiii^l  now  my  IhihIih'm^  i"^  In 
looU  ilMcr  HnniiMllin^  rMlilMt'.  Arc  \\r  In  (nilow  llilM 
Iriiil,  Pi'slt-.x)  ?  " 

*' S«M'  wIumc  m\  ImoIIkmh  iiiihI  IiiiIp,"  miid  |Ih»  linliiiii, 
pliuMii}!  Il.'iiolil  !nul  IMilvC  riK'li  lir'himl  lli(>  lliick  IriiiiU 
ol  11  lr«M» ;  (IxMi  Mltliiifv,  "  IN>slioo  {»!»  (iwtiv  roiiinl,  ntiiml, 
(o  «lii\o  (h(>  moo^c  mimI  iIio  iiios(jmi\v  (o  (lie  lln>  m|h m  ol' 
his  p;ll»>  brolluMs." 

"  \\\\\  \{>\\  \\\\\M  \\\^o  rlioom'  ii  liro  lor  ii  MJiirld,  IN«m- 
lioo,"  s.'iiii    llan>ltl,  "  or  wo   iiii}!,lil    kIiooI    yoii    iiislrmi   of 

Mii'JW  di'{\  lio  ;    "  lio  sIiooIm 


ri 


\0  P!l 


lio  I 


!l('0  S 


liool 


^  \\c 


Piv.'liglil  :  lio  Avill  i\o(  sliool  I'oslioo,  lor  bo  will  lio  «low» 
(iio  nioiinlMiii ; "  tind  shMliiif*  sol'llv  lliroii^li  lli(»  woods 
oppo'^ito  (\)  llio  sl.Uioii  ol  llto  loiMltMH,  lio  diMti|ip(<iirod, 
U^aving  llMntld  imiIu;'  dissnlisllod  willi  lliin  inomilar 
«\odo  oC  spoiliiiji,  (l>oii;di  lio  llioiif'lil  il  pnidoiil  lo 
viold  (o  llto  diroolion  ol  llio  Iiidiiiti  ;  mid  tlioioloro 
Mikt»  Mild  li«>  nMii;Mi  to  llio  prol<M'lioii  olllioir  rospooliv 


n 


Irt 


OS, 


This   Is   oowMvdlv  spoil,  INIiko,"  said    lio 


wo  ( 


Ion  I 


^\\v  \\\c  yoov  aniiiuds  u  oIimiioo.      Nolliiii}»;  liUo  iin  opon 
rtold  juid  n  slirrinjr  oliaso,  I'nir  mjuI  lioiiosl." 

"  Hut   w  luro   would   w«'   l>o  fU'llin'  llio   iiuilo  lo  kH| 


H\ 


OS  Ali>o.  Yor  I 


loniuM,"  ri'pljo' 


.1  mi 


IV  0 


nv  wo  wore  noiii 


Itfr     ,, 


'"     "'"'Kf     MOfi 


W(  A  fM: 


no 
fW* 


/""''■»<'    U,  (1,0    ( 


22; 


.V'"i   I, 


"lAf,.,?  „,„, 


1/ 


to  il 


"'»•  '</   (I...  / 


y   '"•y/JH,,,,,   I,,.   I 


'^»»»7' 


WM| 


Mr  'f 


fiiiiiif    I 


V'"^^    /I, 


r  vr 


'"»»■    ,„ 


li/'>  >l 


"»•(//, .^  1/ 


•  '""■'"•     VVr.    ,|i,|„.,     , 


'^"     'If.. I    ,|y 


"'V'"'  ''t<| 


""  '■'•"""- ^      AJ..|,„f 


»n 


";<   fl 


l< 


">  ,  iM^f 


"  •'  ''uf.  ;, 


'"   fn.'i^fl 


»      ni,      ,,5;, 


'"     '"'"'V    Mr,     I, 


"  ""linrrl    „^     n 


if'ir 


'"■"'"■"'' ■uu.-i..,,.  „„.,,;;'";"■""■"  '"•■<  .;„„.,„ 

""■'"■"•'■'" n. ,„;;;,,;' "•■■"■"'•■ly  >,„„.„ 


^>. 


"r':"% 


:  h  I  :•, 


f 


jfrtiifi 

11188 'i 


I     I 


I'?!     1.^ 


t  ' 


rf! 


t 


/26 


THE    BEAR-HUNTERS 


CHAPTER    XX. 

Pat  in  a  Mischief  —A  Fall  from  a  Tree.  — The  Spoil  of  the  Ch«8e= 
The  Biyhorri. — An  Expedition  to  the  Plains.  —  The  Enemy  in 
Siglit. — An  inglorious  Retreat.  —  An  unhappy  Sneeze.  —  The 
Capture. 

PEbHOO  had  not  been  long  gone,  when  Harold  was 
«tartled  by  hearing  a  shrill  cry  at  some  distance. 
*'  Some  accident  has  happened  to  the  poor  man,"  he 
said.  "  It  won't  be  Pay  chew,  by  no  manes,  yer  hon- 
ner,"  replied  Mike;  "isn't  it  Pat  himself,  the  gossoon, 
in  some  thrick?  sure  isn't  he  always  that  same,  worra! 
always  afther  the  mischafe  entirely  ?  " 

But  there  was  distress  in  this  cry  which  assured 
Harold  it  was  not  uttered  from  mischief;  and  hastily 
reloading  their  guns,  they  abandoned  the  game  and  set 
out  in  the  direction  of  the  cries.  When  they  reached 
the  spot  from  whence  the  alarm  had  proceeded,  they 
saw  it  had  been  really  sounded  by  Pat,  who  was 
perched  on  the  extremity  of  a  slender  branch  of  a  tall 
American  cypress  tree,  which  a  heavier  weight  than 
his  must  have  inevitably  snapped  ;  while  a  large  bear 
had  ascended  the  trunk  of  the  tree,  and  was  growling 
and  grinning  furiously.  As  soon  as  the  terrified  lad 
saw  his  friends,  he  cried  out, — 

"Musha'  musl— . !  Mike,  darlin',  will  ye  be  puttin 
yer  knife  in  him  behind  his  back,  the  l)aste  ?  and  will 
ye  be  gettin'  my  shilla^a  out  of  liis  ugly  mouth,  and  him 


nlVl 


flten  it  alfogether?  0(M 

The  coolness  of  (he  br,v     i  '"  '"'"  «f^'  ?' 

."-M   he  orde,-ed  Mike    o  ,,.  ^1    ,     ,    '  "'"'""  ■^'■"'"• 
"'J'"'">g   the  bold    boy    he   .  '  "'"'  ""'■'"'  of 

'^'-^h-ng  round  ,„  desee       i  1'   u-   "    "'"   ""■"^•■"•''l^ 
'Of   effect,  and   .he  wo'^fb       ■""■"•     ^"«   """'-' 
»"J  «hook  the  tree  ,ili  fl,       ,T  ''""'''^   *"S''>my, 
f-'una^ety,  Harold  .aH  J  1 , '"'  '"'^  '""''  -^  feil' 
<;-  '-agged  garments,  whici     hn      '"  '"  '''"'=''  ''»'"  "f 
''»"="    '-   fail    was    b^ken    ,:"■"'  ^"^'^  ^^  =  and 
"epostted   in  a  thicket  of  tllr     ."''^    ""comibrtably 
~yti™efor    Ha,i    ,rrr'"-     '^''■^'■^  *- 
barrel  more  effectually  into  t^e  ""    '"'^    ^-^^''d 

<".-  before  it  reached    h      '-o  ,  ^^  f  "'«  "-^-"ding 
^'"■'eking  with  agony,  it  rt,f  ^     f  :''«"'  '""eding  and 
boy,  striking    its   3harp  elt  j'^'^,^  ""  "•«  l^-'^ate 
^-ket,  and    iacerating'.^;;;;""   '"f   ™"g^  -gged 
danger,  Harold  rushed  forw^^^^       ^T'°    *"■*  "^"-^me 

"  "-  '"•''  in   .he  should     tf  ,       f""''"  '"^  •""•'« 
f-"ed  on  him,  a„d  ,,,  ,;'  «    'h"   beast,  winch   then 

'■""»  "^e.and  call  „„   Mjke  t  1  "    ' ''''"S  himself 
was  ascending  after  hi,„  °  ''™'  ''»'»■•«  the   bear 

i^'ke   had  a  bold   heart   „    i 
fi'-^'  Wl  prostrated  thlb  '  '  '  "*'  "   ^"'''^  «''<"!  >.is 
-"y  blew  out    the    brah't    :\'"  "'=*^''  "P  -" 
"'"*'  ef.a.-ge  again,   Mik   "  !•?'»   ""   ^"■•^'-     "^^e 
'■■on.  his  refuge: "4  tS  ve.,,         "'""'   "'''''"''"S 
"?-  bears  on  us.    Now  let  '""."'"''"  """^ ''"'« 
'«'-^you,  you  trouhler: h-t   et/r^  ">-"  '"ere  if 
The  boy  rose.  lo„ki„„  ver.       ,. 

=  '*'^  P"''-  "'e  blood  trickJin, 


Kf     i 

m 

f 

F 1 

4.-i 

^'  '  i 


•  < 


'|l:« 


I  i 


•,«l 


■|»ii 


11 


228 


THE    HF^AR-IIUNTKIIS 


from  his  back,  and  looking  round  mtln^r  wildly ;  ha 
at  last,  picked  up  his  favorite  shillala,  and  kicking  hid 
fallen  foe,  said, 

"  Wouldn't  it  be  altogether  spite  in  him  to  be  atin* 
my  shillala,  and  it  not  being  Christian  mate  at  all  ? 
But  sure,  Mike,  wasn't  I  thumping  him  nately,  afore 
he  tore  my  trousers,  and  me  never  having  another ! " 

It  appeared  from  Pat's  story  that,  with  his  usual 
pertinacity,  he  had  secretly  followed  the  sportsmen  ; 
and,  threading  among  the  bushes,  leaving  his  tatters 
on  his  way,  he  had  inadvertently  come  on  the  lair  of 
the  bear,  which,  at  first,  had  contented  itself  with  giving 
him  the  gentle  pat,  which  had  torn  his  ragged  garments 
away  from  his  limbs.  The  reckless  boy,  instead  of 
making  his  escape  as  speedily  as  pv>ssible,  had  retali- 
ated by  giving  the  bear  a  thrashing  with  his  stout  stick. 
This  was  not  meekly  received  by  the  powerful  beast, 
which  erected  itself  on  its  hind-legs  to  execute  revenge; 
and  if  Pat  had  not  been  so  skilful  in  climl)ing  trees,  he 
would  sissuredly  have  fallen  in  the  encounter.  When 
he  saw  his  foe  climbing  after  him,  he  thought  he  might 
be  excused  for  crying  out  for  help ;  and  when  his  dan- 
ger was  imminent,  he  had  escaped  by  venturing  to  the 
extremity  of  the  slender  arm  of  the  tree,  along  which 
he  knew  Bruin  could  not  follow  him. 

"  And  didn't  I  aggravate  him,"  continued  he,  "  and 
call  out  to  him,  and  tell  hira  he  was  a  big  thafe,  and  a 
bloody  villain,  and  he'd  betther  be  makin'  his  will,  seein' 
it  was  his  life  I'd  be  havin'  altogether,  the  spalpeen  ?  " 

The  appearance  of  the  trium[)hant  boy  was  not  that, 
however,  of  a  conqueror ;  for,  except  the  remains  of  his 
sleeves,  the  covering  of  one  leg,  and  a  fragment  of 
shirt,  te  was  as   much  un  lothed  as    his  Indian   play- 


!5!  !i 


liJI  '. 


OF    Till-:    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


229 


uglit 
dan- 
tlie 
/liich 

*'and 
mtl  a 
&eei.V 
?" 
that, 
)f  his 
ht   of 
play- 


fellows, and  as  utterly  regardless  of  the  fact.  Tiie  last 
piece  of  his  shirt  was  used  to  hind  up  his  wound,  and 
he  was  then  commanded  to  k<>ep  close  to  the  rest,  — 
the  very  thing  the  lad  wished  for. 

r>y  this  time  Peshoo,  attracted  by  the  firing,  came  up 
to  them,  and  looked  complacently  at  the  spoil,  which 
held  out  so  large  a  promise  of  feasting. 

"  We  have  much  meat  to  take  to  the  lodges,"  he 
said  ;  "  it  is  far  to  go  ;  the  mosquaw  and  the  moose  are 
heavy,  and  my  brothers  are  not  strong ;  it  is  well  that 
we  should  set  out." 

Harold  shrugged  his  shoulders  as  he  looked  at  the 
hear ;  he  enjoyed  the  sport  of  shooting  the  game,  but 
he  certainly  did  not  enjoy  luiving  to  carry  it  away. 
It  was  then  proposed  that  a  messenger  should  be  des- 
patched to  bring  up  a  relay  of  Indians  to  be  the 
porters ;  as  there  was  no  fear  but  that  they  would 
gladly  leave  their  indolent  ease  to  obtain  an  immense 
supply  of  meat,  without  the  trouble  of  shooting  it. 
Peshoo  dragged  the  bear  to  the  spot  where  they  had 
left  the  deer,  a  third  animal  being  now  added,  which 
he  had  overtaken  and  despatched.  Tiiis  last  he  placed 
on  his  shoulders,  and  set  out  to  bring  up  his  people, 
while  Harold  and  the  boys  rested  beside  the  other 
game. 

But  the  sport  of  the  day  was  not  yet  concluded: 
for,  as  the  hunters  reclined  under  the  trees,  Harold 
caught  sight  of  a  little  herd  of  animals  on  a  grassy 
height  within  shot,  and,  pointing  tnem  out  to  Mike, 
they  succeeded  in  bringing  down  two  of  the  argali, 
or  bighorns,  the  flesh  of  wliich  is  so  much  esteemed 
for  its  veni:;on-like  flavor.  They  were  nearly  as  large 
as  a  young  cow,  and  the  horns,  curiously  twisted,  and 

20 


ri. 


1) 
Hi 


11 

I" 


''■'■„ 


t''lb^"^ 


'  1     >  ^ 

'.1 


i 


I 


230 


TIIK    BKAR-IIUNTKRS 


broad  enougli  to  cover  the  forehead,  were  above  three 
feet  in  length. 

Great  was  the  delight  of  the  Indians  when  they 
came  up,  to  see  the  bighorn.^,  in  addition  to  the  heap 
of  game  ;  for  not  only  the  meat  was  excellent,  bnt  the 
horns  were  useful  for  domestic  utensils  ;  and  the  pro- 
cession to  the  lodges  was  met  by  the  chief  and  his  peo- 
ple with  due  honor. 

"  The  pjile-faces  are  wise,"  said  Mosquaw  graciously ; 
"  they  know  all  things ;  they  have  always  much  meat. 
They  say,  'To-day  we  will  kill  the  deer  and  the  bear; 
to-morrow  we  shall  not  find  them.'  It  is  good.  The 
•ed  man  is  not  wise ;  he  eats  to-day  all  his  meat;  he 
says,  '  We  will  hunt  to-morrow.'  To-morrow,  he  no 
longer  finds  the  deer  or  the  bear ;  he  must  fast.  The 
red  man  dare  not  ask  the  Great  Spirit  to  send  hira 
plenty  and  {)eace.  My  pale  brothers  must  stay  with 
me  ;  my  people  shall  build  them  pleasant  lodges  ;  they 
wish  to  learn,  that  they  also  may  be  wise,  — may  know 
the  Great  Spirit;  then  they  will  not  fear  the  paws  of 
the  bear,  nor  the  seal  ping-knife  of  the  Sioux  or  the 
Comanche.     Mosquaw  has  spoken  well." 

Rodney  had  been  really  engaged,  during  the  absence 
of  the  hunters,  in  conversing  with  the  chief  and  some 
of  the  most  intelligent  of  his  young  men,  and  en- 
deavoring U,  instruct  them  in  the  advantages  of 
civilization,  the  laws  of  morality,  and  the  simple  doc- 
trines of  that  pure  religion  which  is  the  only  firm 
foundation  of  wisdom  and  power  on  earth,  and  eternal 
happiness  in  a  future  life.  The  men  listened  eagerly, 
and  comprehended  wonderfully.  A  religion  of  peace 
and  love  suited  their  quiet  habits ;  and  they  were 
delighted  to  grasp  the   hope  of  obtaining  this   perfect 


I  i' 


Of   THK    noCKV    M0„NTA.N9. 


231 

peace    i„    a  «<.,l,|   „.|„,,^,    ,.  ,^ 
"■on,l,.r.  ,!„.„,  „„„    „„       ,,      •;    "'^    ""I"'",,-,,.     No 

Ht    (his   su^..,.»,i«M ;    he  w„,  '"^  "™   "'"'""■'' 

»I-"J  l,is  whole  life  in  ,,,3  i,!,''".  """"■^  ""'"■«  .0 
"ess;  and  he  en.leavo.«I  ,„  ^ '""  »-'*"S"  «il(lCT. 
byvomhlu.  .„,,„,„.,  ,i„  ,,„  ,;^";f"'"""«;  "-  nnnior, 
'!""««  vvlneh,  by  the  help  of  G„      i"  "'""  ""=  «""<• 

affected   his  oivn  comfn,-,  •         ''"""w   Hlile  it 

-,..-oaehes  fi-o™  .  eierTT"'-"'    '" """'"  "'"^ 

Biek  and  John.  «,„  iZ'u  ,  '""^■''  "'""^'n.ent  ,0 
;vo.-n  ga™.en,.  of  hL  ^  "  ':;T7'  ""  ""^  "»^  -- 
Mary  was  so  clever  at  "  ,1  .,'„.-   ,'""^  *'■''"■"<'  "'»' 

«''"."outiikeachti;Tf  ''■'•; ;'""™'^^^ 

have  as  he  ou-^ht  and      ,  "'""'"'  l'"'"'-^«  '0  I  • 

tl.e  woods.       °    '     "  '""  ^""  ««-  "'«  g"„le„,en  in,„ 

of  sknlking  after  „s  /nT   °     T''"  "'"  '""'^  ""  ^"-ee 
"."^  or  two   the   horses  :;•„  f"'?  """  '"  -"""'- 

what  the  lower  world  ben  ^"'  "  ^'''•"'P«''.  and  see 

,.^^  „  wo, Id,  beneath  these  eternal  hills,  looks 

"-  S'-o«,  the  co~ :;'"';,  '"^'-^ '"« ^-™- 

all  sides;  .hey  seek  gun^  aJ  """i  ""  I''"'-  »" 

my  pale  brothers  .0  cfny  off,!         "'"'  ""^  "'"  ^''"o- 
-  slaves  to  gnard  t^^ilte  ""t;   ""  "*"  '"''  "- 

'■'^3'  cut   th.ir  slaves  with  th^^Jr^:;:;-^--'.- 

^'    iliej'  tear  their 


iii 


rii 


';■  I 


1?^. 


I 


1'      l«l 


('.' 


«:  I. 


I 


'I* 


I 


232 


TIIK    BKAU-IIUNTKKS 


flesh ;    ihey  are     Gouazoiiams.     It    is    good    for    my 
brothers  to  hunt  in  the  woods." 

Hut  (lie  restless  desire  of  Harold  for  a  "^ariety  of 
uport  was  not  to  he  repressed  ;  and  so/ni^  days  after, 
he  eollccted  a  party  for  a  lonjjj  exjx'dition  over  the 
intijrmediate  hills  to  the  sloping  grounds  helow.  The 
two  horses  were  h'd  out,  and  mounted  hy  Hodney  and 
Harold.  Their  follow(;rs  on  foot  were  John,  William, 
INIike,  Mosquaw,  with  a  dozen  of  the  young  Indians. 
The  pale-faces  earri(!d  their  rifles  ;  the  I'ed  men,  bow8 
and  quivers.  The  game  was  to  be  any  thing  they  eould 
meet  wiih  ;  buffaloes  were  expeeted  ;  deer  were  certain  ; 
turkeys  possible.  The  perfumes  of  spring  scented  the 
air;  the  cries  of  the  birds,  though  not  always  melo- 
dious, amused  the  ear;  and  the  bright  blossoms  of  the 
season  touched  the  rugged  hills  and  dark  bushes  with 
patches  of  beauty. 

"  If  it  were  always  thus,  Rodney,"  said  Harold,  "  I 
believe  I  could  get  through  another  month  at  the 
lodges ;  but  a  wet  day  and  an  empty  larder  would  be 
intolerable." 

"  And  even  a  full  larder,  Harold,"  answered  Rodney, 
"  when  you  have  no  choice,  is  revolting ;  when,  like  the 
Israelites  in  the  wilderness,  you  eat  flesh  '  until  it  come 
out  of  your  nostrils,  and  it  be  loathsome  to  you.'  Alas  ! 
'  why  came  we  forth  out  of  Eg>  i)t  ? '  " 

"  Be  comforted,  Rodney,"  said  Harold,  laughing ; 
"  I  mean  to  shoot  a  fat  turkey  for  you.  Or,  see  that 
pool  covered  with  water-fowl.  Perhaps  a  pair  of  ducks 
might  satisfy  your  fastidious  appetite,  seasoned  with 
tl.ese  wormwood  leaves,  which  the  women  politely  term 


Bage. 


"It   is  an   arteraisia,  certainly,"  answered    Rodney 


OF    TlIK    I{()t;KY    MOUNTAINS. 


233 


my 

r  of 

Iter, 

the 
Tlu^ 

ani\ 
liaiii, 
liaMj*. 
bow  9 
coul^l 
rlain ; 
;d  the 

inelo- 
of  the 
»s  with 

)ia,  ^'  I 

lat   the 
luld  be 

lotlney, 
ike  the 
It  come 

Alas  I 

Ighlng ; 
ie  that 
ducks 
with 
ly  term 

Lodney 


pliickin|»  a  leaf,  and  putting  to  Higlit  a  flock  of  prairie 
fowl.  "Nevtr  mind,  Harold;  they  are  all  flown 
new!  Well,  the  birds  di<l  look  tempting;  fattened 
partridges,  doid)tless,  with  a  game  flavor  from  feeding 
on  these  young  buds.  We  were  not  prompt,  my 
boy ! " 

"  Becausit*,  Rodney,"  answered  Harold,  "  a  keen 
pportsman  should  keep  his  eyes  and  ears  open,  and 
his  moulh  shut.  I  shall  not  speak  again  till  I  have 
bagged  my  first  bird." 

liut  Mike,  who  was  a  real  sportsman,  and  never 
missed  an  opjmrtunity,  had  already  shot  a  brace  of 
the  prairie  birds,  which  were  as  large  as  full-grown 
fowls;  Harold  then  turned  his  attention  to  the  ducks, 
and  shot  three  couple  before  the  unaccustomed  attack 
put  them  to  flight.  The  reeds  were,  however,  filled 
with  nests,  and  Mike  promised  to  collect  a  store  of  eggs 
as  they  returned,  as  they  were  not  convenient  carriage 
in  the  game  bags. 

They  had  now  reached  the  lower  grounds,  and  found 
these  long-desired  plains  almost  as  inconvenient  for 
equestrian  excursions  as  the  rough  mountains,  for  they 
were  for  many  miles  covered  with  the  sage  ')ushes, 
united  by  the  tough  tendrils  of  some  creeping  plant 
now  bursting  into  white  flowers,  mingled  with  the 
beautiful  blue  convolvulus.  Urging  their  horses  over, 
or  through  the  entangled  maze,  they  proceeded  to 
the  south-east,  and  came  at  length  on  a  clearer  spot, 
when  they  rode  pleasantly  over  the  thick  grass,  shade  \ 
by  tall  trees ;  and,  delighted  with  the  freedom  they  felt, 
the  two  friends,  in  great  glee,  dashed  forward  in  a 
gallop,  forgetting  even  to  look  after  game,  in  the  excite 
ment  of  the  ride. 

20* 


I- 


II) 


:( 


.Hi 


^il  ail 


'  ! 


■u 


1  ^.  J''! 


I » - '  "'i 


I 


;i 


I 


Imp 


!  I 


I'ih 


;!i!i:il;ii: 


234 


TUK    nKAU-HlNTKUS 


At  lenj^tli,  in  compassion  for  tlieir  followers,  \\\(*j 
halted,  and  looked  round  as  they  rested.  Harold  drew 
out  his  poeket  glass  lo  have  a  wider  vi<'W,  and  then 
8udd(Mdy  cried  out,  with  a  look  of  di>nuiy,  "A  troop  of 
Indian?  is  in  si;<ht,  mounted  and  armed." 

*'  Let  us  turn  and  fle«>,  my  j^'ood  fellow,"  said 
Rodney.  "I  hav(i  no  mind  to  be  scalped,  and  we 
must  si^^nal  the  poor  men  on  foot,  that  they  may 
find  some  avenue  of  escape  from  the  certainty  of  being 
seized  by  these  flying  savagi^s.  Not  a  word,  boy ! 
onward ! " 

As  they  galloped  forward  to  their  friends,  they  wavfnl 
to  them  to  turn  round ;  and  the  watchful  Indians, 
readily  intrepreting  the  signal,  fled  at  once  with  pre- 
cipitation. Then  they  stopped  suddenly ;  and  when 
the  equestrians  came  up  to  them,  they  found  that  the 
chief  had  stepped  into  one  of  the  buirows  of  the 
prairie  dog,  and  sprained  his  ancle  till  he  was  unable  to 
walk,  and  he  was  too  heavy  to  be  carried  by  his  attend- 
ants. 

In  a  moment  Harold  had  aliglited.  "Mount  my 
horse  and  away,"  said  he,  after  he  had  described  what 
he  had  seen.  *' You  are  old  ;  I  am  young  and  active; 
I  will  escape  through  the  mountain  woods,  where  the 
horseman  cannot  easily  follow  me." 

"  It  is  well,"  said  the  chief,  calmly,  as  his  men  as* 
sisted  him  to  mount.  "  I  am  the  father  of  my  peo{)le. 
The  Sioux,  the  Comanche,  the  Pawnee  thirst  for  the 
scalp  of  the  great  Mosquaw.     They  must  not  wear  it." 

Then  he  rode  swiftly  away,  followed  by  his  attend- 
ants scarcely  less  swiftly.  For  a  moment  Rodney 
looked  confounded  with  the  affair ;  then  Harold  lifled 
Mike  behiri   his  tutor,  saying,  "  IJe  off,  liodney.  tht) 


s,;;;;::r::::;: »:;:-,/;-,  ....,„. 

count ,-.,  clear,     n,,,,,    " '  7  "'"  '""'"v  as  soon  as  .|,e 
Will,  „  ,1  '"•>"  W">i''-I>n-." 

""■I  Willi,,,.,  focli,,;      .     "  '-  :"."  '""»-.'  "i.l,  X 
from   l,i„„.,|,;  ,.„,  wm'T     "'"""'  ""-' ""••.na.e 

:«■ 'l-ost  „i.,,.;    :;'•;'    .'"''''..■.•»7=   and 

'""'^  Mike  in  ,,r,.fo,,,„ee.  '"" "'«   »>"-<"v<I 

He  lookcl  anxionsly  i-,,,,,,,,  „„  , 
'■•'«*.  for  a  convcnieni  o  „    „'"  ■•'■•!'•""-'  "'"  '-"i™ 

out  exposure  to  the  d.    ,,,"       ?"-'''  "'«  ''">^  >vi,l,. 
-.'t  be  ,ai„.„,  o„  th  ;        :V    "'"   f ■■""-.  «).o 

"""  "'«•■  ^'"I'in^  ...ll»  ,h,   ,;,  o  .^'  "'"  "'"'  '•"""■"" 

^-pos,..,  to  view  ,i,at  i    wo  „    b  "•  """'''  '"^  '^  '"">•'" 
"lem    nnn„(i,.ed      T.  .„      ,  '"'Possible  (o  ,.oa,.|, 

f'''"kbod,i.a':r,S7r't''^^ 

discover  tliem.  '°""  ''«  "ear  enough  to 

"There  is  but  one  course  for  us  ivn  -  • 
VVe  must  wind  as  well  a.s  w.  .  '  '"'  ■'■'"<'  ''«• 
sage-bushes,  and  hide  00,.,,^  I. "'""""  """"  '""«■• 
«"  ">c  Indians  pass  I  '  v  ,  t""'^''  "'«  "'"^ket 
"'cydeteet  «a,  we  must  2/""  '''"'  '<«*"-^-'b.  if 
To'^e  etre  you  leav^n    tltV  t™^'^''-'  ''""•  '""•  "-s 

-'^led,  at   all   .vents ,   and    nn^  '""    ""'='"    I'" 

«".iJst  the  tough  tall  hU^  thev  ^^''Tl'  '"™''"" 
beneath    them    for    ab„,  7       ""'"''  ""''  "ound 

-"ling  themselve    |„  rlil   """'^'-'    ^«-*-     Then 

«  tlnek  covert,  Harold  venftrsd 


wu 


*r 


m 


;i;i 


!f    i ' 


til-'   I 


-nP 


; 


^';1>^ 


^^^■:4!' 


I'^ii'"-!*^. 


236 


tup:  kkar-tiunters 


to  make  an  opening  through  which  he  mignt  observe, 
while  secure  himself,  the  movements  of  ihe  formidable 
Indians. 

It  was  not  long  before  the  trampling  of  the  horses 
fell  on  his  ear,  accomj)anied  by  a  tremendous  whoop 
from  the  riders,  which  was,  hs  concluded,  the  war-cry 
of  the  people,  and  signified  tlh.t  they  were  on  the  war- 
path —  some  scalping  expedition ;  and  Harold  almost 
feared,  from  the  vindictive  triumph  of  the  yell,  that 
they  were  exuUing  at  the  discovery  of  the  trail. 
Soon  he  heard  voices,  and  even  distinguished  and  un- 
derstood some  of  the  words,  which  merely  differed  in 
accentuation  from  the  dialect  of  his  peaceful  friends. 
He  made  out  that  they  'lad  struck  on  the  trail,  which 
thev  believed  to  be  that  of  their  enemies  the  Sioux, 
or  the  Black  Feet,  both  of  which  tribes  the/  seemed  to 
regard  with  bitter  hatred. 

Already  Harold  had  numbered  about  fifty  men  ride 
past,  all  painted  with  Jw'ight  colors,  and  wearing  buffalo- 
skin  cloaks,  some  caii-ying  muskets  as  well  as  spears 
and  tomahawks  ;  and  he  breathed  a  sigh  of  thankfulness, 
trusting  that  they  should  now  escape.  William  lay 
perfectly  still  and  silent,  but  John  was  awkward  and 
uneasy  in  his  unaccustomed  position,  and  in  his  rest- 
lessness nervously  plucked  the  leaves  of  the  bushes 
which  surrounded  him,  and  the  pungent,  volatile  aroma 
of  the  artemisia,  thus  set  free,  acted  on  his  olfactory 
nerves,  and  caused  him  to  sneeze.  The  endeavor  to 
repress  this  unlucky  emission  only  ren  lered  it  more 
audible  and  startling,  and  the  attention  of  the  Indians 
nearest  to  ihem  was  immediately  arrested.  They  halted, 
t^nd  rode  directly  into  the  bush  towards  tb}  spot  where 
the  unlucky  men  lay  concealed. 


SB 


OF    THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


237 


rvc, 
able 

)rse9 
lioop 
r-cry 

war- 
Imost 
,  that 

trail, 
id  un- 
red  in 
i'iends. 

whicli 

Sioux, 
imed  to 


"It's  all  up  now,  my  men,"  said  Harold.  "Rise 
and  stand  boldly  to  your  arms,  but  don't  fire  a  shot, 
unless  they  fire  on  us:  and  I  will  try  if  I  can  make 
terms  v;ith  the  fellows." 

Tlien  j)luckinf]j  a  brand)  of  the  unlucky  saf^obush, 
Harold  sju'ung  to  bis  feet,  followed  by  the  other  '.  vo 
men  ;  he  exti'icatcd  himself  from  the  tangled  bushes, 
while  the  Indians,  stu[)efied  by  the  sudden  appearance 
of  white  men,  r.  -lained  inactive,  watching  for  more  to 
follow.  Harold  had  thus  time  to  walk  up  to  one,  v  ho, 
by  his  scarlet  blanket  and  head-dress  of  brilliant  feath- 
ers, he  judged  to  be  the  chief,  and  with  his  pacific  sign 
in  one  hand,  and  his  rifle  in  the  other,  he  said  boldly  in 
the  Indian  dialect,  "Is  it  peace  or  war?" 

"  The  Pawnee  peojjle  hold  no  words  of  peace  with 
the  pale-faced  tyrants,"  replied  the  ciiief,  vindictivdy. 
"  My  people  spit  on  them.  They  make  them  slav(is  ; 
they  thirst  for  their  blood.  Give  your  fire-powder.  The 
Pawnees  want  powd'^r  and  balls  to  kill  their  enemies 
the  Sioux  ;  then  they  will  come  to  their  lodges  to  dance 
the  scalp  dance,  and  to  burn  the  treacherous  pale- 
faces." 

As  twenty  guns  were  levelled  at  them  already, 
Harold,  in  hopes  of  OL'uining  time,  at  any  rate 
delivered  up  his  powder-fl  isk,  and  a  bag  of  bullets 
which  John  carried.  The  c  i"ef  in  the  mean  time  had 
selected  a  dozen  of  the  len  it  warlike  of  his  people,  put 
the  rifles  of  the  prisoners  into  their  hands,  and  ordered 
them  to  return  to  the  lodges  with  the  unfortunate  crp- 
tives. 

"  My  warriors  will  return  with  many  Sioux  prisoners," 
Bald  the  chief;  "  then  the  pale-faces  shall  see  how  brave 
the  red  man  is  in  bearing  the  knife  and  the  fire,  and  my 


I 


til 


-:i-: 


:  'H?  j^^- :^i 


'■  •! 


I':' 


238 


THE    BEAR-HUNTERS 


people  will  see  the  pale-fuce  tremble,  and  hear  him  cry 
out,  when  it  is  his  turn  to  die." 

This  was  a  disni."^  prospect,  and  Harold  was  thank- 
ful that  John,  who  was  far  from  heroic,  did  not  un- 
derstand the  words  of  the  chief.  William  was  com- 
posed when  he  heard  his  sentence ;  and  now,  while  the 
war  party  proceeded  onward  towards  the  north,  the  de- 
jected prisoners  w<3re  placed  behind  three  of  the 
mounted  guard,  an  ignominy  greatly  felt  by  Harold  and 
John,  William  submitting  with  more  humility  to  his  de- 
grading position. 

"  It  is  a  comfort  to  think.  Will,"  called  out  Harold  in 
English,  "  that  the  rest  have  had  time  to  escape.  Keep 
up  your  heart,  my  boy,  I  have  some  hope  yet.  The 
garrison  is  not  likely  to  be  strong  just  now  ;  and  if  our 
friend  Mosquaw  should  bring  up  his  forces,  we  may 
break  our  bonds  before  the  Pawnee  chief  return  to  in- 
flict the  tortures  he  threatened  us  with." 


OF    THK    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


239 


CHAPTER    XXI 


Vhe  Pawnee  Lodgfcs.  —  Another  Enj,'lish  Slave.  -  -  Tlie  lawless 
Arncliffe.  —  The  Midni<?ht  Signal.  — The  Flight  and  the  Pur- 
suit.—  Arncliffe's  Welcome. — The  Fate  of  the  Dressing-Iiox. 
—  First  Si{;ns  of  Repentance. 

The  men  who  had  cliarge  of  the  prisoners  were  brutal 
and  stupid  wretches ;  they  reviled  the  unfortunate 
Europeans  for  being  the  cause  of  their  losing  a 
share  of  the  plunder  and  scalps  of  the  Sioux,  and 
threatened  them  with  unheard-of  tortures.  All  their 
taunts  were,  however,  received  in  prudent  silence, 
Harold  and  William  employing  themselves  in  con- 
s'Merinnr  various  plans  for  escaping  from  these  merciless 
savages. 

It  was  night  before  they  reached  a  number  of 
soQttered  huts,  formed  like  beehives,  and  covered  with 
the  long  prairie-grass,  into  one  of  which,  through  a 
narrow  entrance,  the  captives  were  thrust,  watched  by 
a  crowd  of  women,  who  looked  on  the  strangely-clad 
pale-faces  with  exclamations  of  wonder. 

For  a  quarter  of  an  hour  they  remained  speechless 
ai.d  stupefied,  but  were  then  roused  by  the  sound  of 
heavy  blows  and  groans,  followed  by  curses,  uttered  in 
the  English  language.  Harold  started  up,  and  rushing 
to  the  entrance,  he  cried  out  loudly,  '  Who  speaks  Eng- 
lish in  this  den  of  thieves  ?  " 

William,  pale  and  agitated,  caught  his  arm,  and  said, 


^r: 


h 


^M'' 


m'^ 


r 


ft' 


240 


THE    IIKAR-IIUNTKRS 


"  Oh !  Mr.  Crofton,  I  know  who  it  is ;  thai  .s  the  voice 
of  my  unfbrtunate  father." 

Moved  with  compassion  towards  the  ai  .iable  lad, 
though  he  heartily  disliked  the  unnatural  father,  Har- 
old addressed  a  woman  before  the  hut,  who  was  nursing 
a  baby,  asking  her  why  the  pale-face  cried  out. 

"  Pale-face  say  to  red  man,  he  will  not  work,"  an- 
swered the  woman.  "  He  loves  not  to  rub  the  horses, 
to  feed  them ;  he  speaks  loud  words ;  then  the  red  man 
laughs,  and  beats  down  the  pale  slave." 

"  Why  did  not  the  Pawnee  chief  torture  and  burn  the 
pale-face  ?  "  asked  Harold. 

"  Pale-face  is  the  slave  of  the  Pawnee,"  answered  she. 
"  Pawnee  sleeps,  slave  brings  wood,  he  makes  fire,  he 
cooks  buffalo  meat.  He  cannot  go  away ;  he  cannot 
walk,"  and  the  woman  imitated  the  halt  of  a  lame  man, 
to  the  great  amusement  of  her  cister  squaws.  Harold 
remembered  the  accident  of  Arncliffe,  which  had  prob- 
ably been  the  cause  of  his  being  reduced  from  the 
condition  of  a  chief  to  that  of  a  slave  ;  for  it  is  neces- 
sary that  an  Indian  chief  should  be  vigorous  in  body 
and  imposing  in  appearance,  as  well  as  superior  to  his 
tribe  in  mental  endowments. 

"  This  infirmity  must  be  the  cause  of  his  still  being 
a  prisoner.  Will,"  said  Harold,  "  or,  with  his  sagacity, 
he  might  have  escaped  from  this  loosely-kept  garrison, 
as  I  trust  we  shall  do." 

"  Not  without  my  father,  Mr.  Croflon,"  replied  Wil- 
liam, imploringly.  "  I  must  endeavor,  certainly,  to  ef- 
fect his  escape,  and  you  are  very  kind,  sir :  surely  you 
will  assist  me  ?  " 

"  You  are  a  good  lad,  Will,"  said  Harold  ;  "  but  this 
will  sorely  cramp  our  movements;   and  you  must  see 


OF    THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


241 


that  your  father,  like  all  evil  spirits,  carries  i\i-luok  with 
him.  But  I  will  see  him,  boy,  and  try  if  I  can  find  a 
spark  of  grace  in  him." 

William  sighed ;  he  did  not  anticipate  any  change 
for  the  better  in  his  lawless  father ;  and  no  obstruction 
being  offered  to  the  captives  wandering  through  a  camp 
which  swarmed  with  watchful  women,  children,  and 
aged  men,  they  walked  up  to  the  corral  for  the  horses, 
where  they  saw  a  man,  with  the  scanty  remains  of  Eng- 
lish garments  clinging  to  his  wasted  limbs,  unbridling 
the  horses  of  their  guards,  rubbing  them  down  with 
grass,  and  turning  them,  one  after  another,  into  the  en- 
closure. 

"  My  groom  shall  help  you,  friend,"  said  Harold  to 
the  astonished  man,  directing  John's  attention  to  tlie 
work,  which  he  readily  stepped  forward  to  share  ;  for 
John  only  recogni'-ced  the  Indians  as  fellow-creatures 
when  he  saw  them  the  owners  of  horses. 

"  Who  are  you,"  said  the  man,  "  who  have  been  un- 
lucky enough  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  robbers  and  mur- 
derers ?  " 

"  You  know  who  we  are,  Arncliffe,"  answered  Har- 
old. "  We  have  had,  like  yourself,  the  misfortune  to  be 
taken  prisoners ;  but  we  are  not  without  hope,  for  God 
is  with  His  people  everywhere." 

"  Can  you  fancy  God  is  here,  among  these  demons  ?  " 
said  the  unhappy  man.  "  You  must  have  strong  faith. 
And  you  have  brought  Will  here  too !  What  for  did 
he  leave  England,  where  men  believe  they  have  souls 
to  be  saved,  to  come  and  fling  himself  among  the 
heathens  ?  " 

*'  He  owes  all  his  misfortunes  to  you,"  replied  Harold 
"  He  followed  you  from   England  ;  he  follows  you  still; 

21 


i^^: 


til 


■nh^' 


242 


THE    BEAU-HUNTEltS 


never  giving  up  the  hope  that  he  may  at  last  regain  a 
father,  and  a  wandering  soul  to  God." 

"  I'm  not  worth  looking  after,"  exclaimed  Arncliffe 
bitterly.  "  A  cripple,  evil-minded,  lost  wreck  of  a 
man.  Nothing  can  save  me,  body  or  sold.  I  have 
tried  to  aggravate  these  savages  till  they  should  strike 
me  dead;  but  they  won't;  they'd  rather  keep  me  a 
tortured  slave.  What  are  you  whimpering  for,  lad  ? 
Think  of  yourself,  and  get  off,  if  you  can:  never  heed 
me.'" 

"  It's  for  you  I  grieve  and  pray,  father,"  answered 
William,  "and  I  believe  God  will  hear  me.  Mr.  Crof- 
ton  is  planning  a  mode  of  escape,  and  you  must  go  with 
us.  And  once  free  from  these  savages,  surely,  father, 
you  will  not  leave  me  again,  to  return  to  this  life  of 
wickedness  and  misery  ;  surely  you  will  turn  to  God, 
and  live  the  life  of  a  Christian  ?  " 

"  You  talk  like  an  idiot,"  said  the  man  impatiently. 
"  What  can  I  do  ?  I  had  gold ;  it  was  stolen  from  me. 
I  had  power  and  strength ;  they  were  taken  away  from 
me.  I  had  freedom  and  plenty ;  all  is  gone  !  I  am  an 
outcast.  Man  and  God  disown  me.  Death  is  all  that 
is  left  to  me." 

"  Death  is  not  an  end,  but  a  beginning,  Arncliffe," 
said  Harold.  "  Are  you  prepared  to  enter  on  that  now 
life,  which  is  to  extend  to  eternity?  Is  your  mind  sub- 
dued to  cbedier.ice,  your  soul  raised  to  love,  towards 
that  God,  who  spared  not  His  own  Son,  to  extend  hope 
and  salvation  to  the  sinner  who  believes,  and  loves,  and 
obeys  ?  " 

"  I  believe,"  said  the  man  in  a  low  voice ;  "  but  I 
dare  not  say  that  I  love,  where  I  have  scorned  ;  and 
I  have  never  obeyed.     It    ?  now  too  late." 


OF   TUE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


248 


*<It  is  nevei  too  late,  fatlier,"  said  William.  "Re- 
member the  cry  of  tlie  penitent  publican,  '  God  be  mer- 
ciful to  me,  a  sinner.*  You  used  to  like  to  hear  mother 
r3ad  the  parables  once,  before  you  took  to  gambling  and 
bad  company." 

"  She  was  too  good  for  me>  lad,"  answered  the  father. 
'•  She  learnt  at  last  to  shun  me  ;  and  naught  has  weighed 
so  hard  on  me  as  Uie  thought  of  my  bad  conduct  to 
h'*r. 

"  Her  last  words  were  a  prayer  for  you,  father,"  said 
the  boy,  "  and  a  command  to  me  to  follow  and  bring  you 
back  to  God."  • 

"  And  her  prayer  has  turned  into  a  curse.  Look  at 
me,  lad ! "  said  ArncliflTe. 

"  Not  so,"  answered  he.  "  This  affliction  is  a  bless- 
ing, father.  It  is  only  through  much  tribulation  we 
reach  the  kingdom  of  God." 

"  Thy  mother  has  made  thee  like  herself,"  said  the 
man ;  "  fitter  fjr  another  world  than  to  fight  thy  way 
in  this,  among  rogues  and  cheats.  Thou'rt  over  soft, 
and  green  ever  to  do  good  to  thyself,  lad." 

"Don't  speak  so  lightly  of  serious  things,  Arnr-iiffe," 
said  Harold.  "  You  have  no  reason  to  believe  that 
the  way  of  sin  is  that  of  prosperity." 

"  Maybe  I've  been  unlucky,  Mr.  Crofton,"  replied 
he ;  "  but  I've  seen  some  worse  than  I  am  leading  a 
jolly  life." 

"  Come,  come,  Arncliffe,"  said  Harold,  "  you  are  a 
man  of  sense  ;  you  are  quite  aware  that  the  jolly  life  of 
the  wicked  is  not  one  of  happiness  and  security.  Do 
they  not  know  that  adversity  would  banish  all  thei; 
jovial  associates?  Do  they  not  tremble  to  think  on  the 
inevitable  hour  of  sickness  and  of  death  ?  " 


i:] 


1 


f^q 


ii:; 


til 


!«fi«-;i 


W'. 


244 


THK    BKAU-HLNTKUS 


*'  Doos  nf>t  every  one  ?  "  ri^plied  AnicliflTti.  "  Yet  iioj 
she  did'iit :  but  she  was  always  half-way  to  heaveii 
when  she  was  living,  and  I  was  always  half-way  down 
to  [)erdition,  and  we've  both  gone  on  in  our  own 
roads." 

"  God  be  merciful  to  you,  sinner  as  you  are ! "  said 
Harold,  "as  He  has  been  and  will  be  to  the  greatest  of 
sinners.     We  can  only  pray  for  you." 

Here  they  were  interrupted  by  their  guards,  who 
ordered  them  into  tlie  hut,  into  which  Arnclifl'e 
silent];'  followed  them.  No  i'ood  was  given  to  them, 
but,*  fortunately,  John's  game-bag  was  well  stored 
with  solid  slices  of  roast  mutton  and  venison,  and 
the  hungry  party  supped  hearl  y,  and,  with  thanks 
to  God,  lay  down  on  the  bare  earth  to  sleep.  Harold 
had  slf  it  for  two  hours  when  William,  who  had  been 
more  vatchful,  awoke  him,  saying,  "  Would  you  please 
to  listen,  Mr.  Crofton ;  I  think  I  have  heard  Pat's 
whistle." 

A  low,  bird-like  whistle  sounded  at  that  moment, 
and  Harold,  springing  up,  said,  "  They  have  followed 
us  !  Look  alive,  my  men.  ArncliflTe,  you  go  with  us  ; 
tell  us,  is  there  a  chance  for  us  to  join  our  friends  un- 
seen, and  thus  avoid  bloodshed  ?  " 

"  You  can  do  it,  Mr.  Crofton,"  rej)Hed  the  man  ;  "  for 
you  are  all  young  and  active,  and  the  Indians  are  heavy 
sleepers.     I  cannot  esv-tpe,  crippled  as  I  aivi,  on  foot 
but  I  think  I  c{'.n  get  horses  from  the  corra;  '' 

"  But  wo»:ldn'i  that  be  a  theft?"  asktd  William. 

'Are  3'ou  mad?"  said  his  fathci'.  "  Havn't  they  goi 
your  guns?  Bui,  a^  you  like.  It  can  be  no  (heft  to 
lake  my  own  lior.^o  that  they  robbed  ;tj«  of.** 

"  Certainly    not, '    anflwered    Harold.     "  And    at   all 


U  lur 


f^ 


/ij-'  -' 


*  V- 


OF   TIIK    ROCKY    MOUN  FAINS. 


215 


events,  wo  inif^lit  each  borrow  a  liorso,  ami,  wliju  wa 
have  got  a  start,  drive  hi:n  back  again.  It  is  a  case  ol 
life  and  death,  Will.  Now,  who  should  go  out  to  recon« 
noitre?" 

"  You,  certainly,"  said  ArnclifTe.  ''  Will  is  over 
timid,  and  that  man  of  yours  over  dull.  You'd  better 
have  had  Mike ;  he's  a  sharp  lad.  I'll  hobble  off  to 
the  corral,  and  fetch  out  the  beasts  to  you." 

Harold  left  the  hut,  and  stole  softly  through  the 
thick  trees  that  encompassed  the  encampment,  toward3 
the  spot  from  whence  the  signal  proceeded,  and  when 
he  had  successfully  attained  a  safe  distance,  he  ven- 
tured to  answer  the  signal  by  a  low  echo.  On  this 
a  form  started  up  from  among  the  tall  grass,  and  the 
welcome  brogue  of  Pat  was  heard  through  the  dark 
ness. 

*'  Will  you  all  be  here  ?  Isn't  it  I  myself  will  guide 
you  out  of  this.  And,  sure,  wouldn't  we  be  able  to 
fight  them ;  barrin  that  Mr.  Rodney,  he's  again  that 
same  altogether." 

"  God  bless  you,  boy,"  said  Harold,  joyfully.     "  Stay 

here  till   I   bring  up  the   others."     And   rapidly   and 

cautiously  he  retrod  his  steps,  and  soon  returned  with 

his   two   companions.     By   this    time   they   heard   the 

trampling  of  the  horses,  which  could  not  be  muflkMl ; 

and    it  was  evident    the    Indians    also  had    heard    the 

Bound,  for   whoops    and    cries    resounded    through    the 

encampment.     Then    torches    blazed    up,    and    showed 

the    dark    figures,   careless  of  clothing,  rushing    about 

wildly    to    search    for     guns     and     bows.       Already 

some    arrows    whizzed    through    the    air    at    random, 

and    happily    without    doing   harm.     Harold    hastened 

to   meet    Arncliffe,    who,    mounted    himself,   led    three 

21* 


•I 


I  -I  I 


ni 


»•  I 


•#f!! 


II  I 


ill, 

Ssr3i 


J|i 


.  J  ^ '  111 


ja-i'' 


216 


THK    BKAR-IIUNTKRS 


bridled  hors«;8.  and,  following  Tut  tiirough  th<i  trees^ 
they  came  up  im mediately  witli  Mv.  Kodney  and 
Mosquaw  on  Ihe  two  horses,  and  Captain  Seruton, 
Dick,  Mike,  and  a  body  of  the  friendly  Indians,  all 
arm(id,  and  on  fooU 

"  All  right,  llodney,  you  plucky  old  fellow,"  said 
Harold.  "  Leap  on  behind  me.  Will,  and  give  Captain 
Scruton  your  horse.  Now,  my  lads,  flight  and  not  fight, 
if  you  please,  for  it  would  be  cowardly  to  slaughter 
these  poor  wretches,  who  are  now  the  weaker  party." 

"  Better  have  silenced  the  dogs,"  muttered  Arncliffe ; 
"  they  can  bite  as  well  as  bark,  and  they'll  do  it." 

Captain  Scruton  started  when  he  heard  the  voice,  and 
said,  "  Is  that  unlucky  fellow  here  again,  Mr.  Crof'ton  ? 
How  can  we  ever  expect  to  come  into  port  with  such  a 
Jonah  among  us  ?  " 

"  But  we  cannot  throw  him  overboard,  Ca[)tain 
Scruton,"  answered  Harold.  "  Besides,  the  man  has 
helped  us,  and  mounted  us ;  we  must  not  desert  him. 
Halloo!  ArnclifTe,  are  they  after  us?  I  surely  hear 
horses." 

''  Ay,  ay,  you  hear  thera,  sure  enough,"  said  he.  "  I 
made  a  regular  stampede,  drove  them  all  out  of  the  cor- 
ral, as  soon  as  I'd  secured  what  I  wanted.  They'll  not 
easy  gather  them  together  again." 

"  It  was  by  no  means  a  bad  ruse,'*  said  Scruton,  "  and 
quite  fair,  under  the  circumstances.  The  man  floes  not 
want  sense,  Mr.  Crofton,  if  he  were  only  amenable  to 
authority." 

The  swift-footed  followers  of  Mosquaw  kept  pace 
with  the  horses,  anil  when  Dick  and  Mike  were  weary 
they  wi^re  taken  by  the  horsemen  en  croupe.  Cries  and 
nrrows  followed  tht  fugitive?/ ;  but  the  cries  gradually 


,;9-; 


o"^  nric  nocKY  mocntaivs. 


217 

grew  fainfoi,  nud  (he  ttn■o^v^  n  . 

<-k,  while  .lK.i.-fi,||„„„r/u.  i,    '"    °"  ""■'■'■  '"■""■" 

'■•-"•I «  fo  KuWe  Ihe,,,.  '"""'■'  "'"'  "^"'"  I"''  '!,« 

«'i"  it  w,,.,  p|„i„  „,,,j  „,^ 
gerous   pursuit    was    ke,,t   ,  "''  ""'  ''»"• 

"bout  (ho  secuntv  of  h  ,""      ""^  '^^'"■'■''  ""'■'••<v 

hor^o^on  .os.pI,e',  :,::,""""'  '"^^^'-li-e-.,!  ,„« 

WOO.I.S,  and  by  vanou    ",,;."   T""'"  "'"  """""""■ 
*^^  R".ln-y  then   0)7        T;r'  ''■'■ ''"'8- 

'"- .0  the, „4.3„„'ip:^  ;•:;'■' ^7-«- 

d'H'ely  .sent  out  spies  to  w  ,H.       ^    ,^'   '"  '""■  '"'""- 
Hieir  movement.,.     Thev  r,  ,„  "     ""' '""'  '■''I"'" 

«  party  of  R.„,„,,,,  ;/,['■■"'•'''  'V^  -Imt  they  „,,.„ 

"-  Sioux  or  lilaek  Fe'       sn';'"'"''  '"•"'"""•>•  ='^-"'^' 
hours  had  elap..e<|  that  M,-' I?  ", '""  ""*  "'"  »""'« 

-IXivity  or  cLh  hj;  0  .;..?:  7f  "'i';'""-  «-''-'"  "'at 
«nlSi  and  the  friemllv  ,0  •  7  ""'"''' ""'1  I'i-^  attend- 
-expedition  to    ,     i     :  Z"'"","^  ""-""S  P-anned 

'^•"Po™^..od,es,and„';r,rLe:hr""-'-''^-''"'' 

f-IH-aetised  fo,-ce  might  safelv  .,  "  °"'"  """"  »'"• 

"•o'-^  of  the  fibe  u-ere  emn  1^  f'- "'"'•''  "'""  ""^  ^-''f- 

di'ion.     lint  now  M,    llT""^  '"  ""■'■•  *^'""'  ^-P- 

•heir  intetferenee  in  the  esc  p!';' ,"™'"^  ''''"'■''  "■•■" 
■•emain  unsuspected,  every  „'„„  '',''"""'■*•■'  ^''""'J 

ceal  the  fact.  ^  "'"'""  "'"'*'  he  used  to  con- 

They  reached  tlie  valley  bv-);ff- 


t 


i  r 


248 


TIIK    UKAIl-IIUNrKRS 


if!' 


ir"'::wir 


Hi. 


n  |i 


though  ArneUffo  was  (M^rtaiiily  not  warmly  wriroinnvl, 
ho  was  tolerated  by  l*<';?gy  ttnd  Mary  as  a  .suH'erini^ 
man,  and  the  father  of  their  favorite  VV'iliiain. 

"  You'd  be  usin*  that  bad  h'g,  sure,  before  it  wi're 
ahogether  mended  outriglit,"  said  Peggy;  "aiul  what 
for  were  ye,  Arneliffe,  runnin'  olf  with  his  honner'a 
combs,  and  scent-bottles,  and  his  money  —  God  save  us 
from  sin,  —  and  hivin'  the  boy  himself  to  be  starvin*  to 
death,  seein'  he  was  havin'  no  mate  at  all ;  and  him  lost 
among  tiiem  big  mountains,  and  niver  findin'  us  at  all, 
by  rason  we  were  all  buried  alive  entirely  undher  the 
snow  ?     Sure,  wasn't  it  an  ill  deed  ?  " 

Arnclitfe  winced  under  the  unsparing  rcj)roaches  of 
his  sister-in-law,  but  did  not  reply.  He  seemed 
phocked  by  Mary's  recital  of  (he  sufferings  to  which  liis 
iflight  hud  exposed  William,  and  had  the  grace  to  say  to 
Harold,  "  You  might  well  think,  sir,  that  I  was  a  com- 
mon highwayman  ;  but  I've  not  come  down  so  low  as 
that  yet.  I'd  forgotten  your  dressing-case  was  hung 
under  the  bear-skins,  and  I  meant  to  take  care  of  it  for 
you ;  but  when  I  was  fool  enough  to  trust  myself  boldly 
among  a  troop  of  Pawnees  that  I  fell  in  with,  tlie  cow- 
ardly dogs  sacked  every  thing,  and  set  me  to  work  on 
my  weak  ancle  till  they've  crippled  me  for  life." 

"  And  what  would  the  savages  be  makin'  of  the 
combs,  and  all  Mr.  Crofton's  line  dressing  things?" 
asked  Mary. 

"  They  knew  the  use  of  the  combs  and  brushes,  and 
such  things,"  answered  Arnclitfe.  "  The  pomatums 
and  scent"  they  swallowed  up  greedily,  and  the  chief 
bagged  the  money  to  buy  rum  at  the  trading  stations 
they  wander  off  to.  These  Pawnees  traffic  with  white 
men,  and  that's  it  that  makes  them  such  bloody-minded 


W^^T* 


OF   TIIK,    KOCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


249 


r>^-»('al>?.     YcM,  Mr.   Rodnry;  you  think   I'm  wrong,  Imt 
I'm  not.     It's  tlie  rum  that  does  it." 

"  (J()(l  forgive  tlu;  nu'n  who  dovotn  souls  to  perdition," 
Kiiii  Mr.  U(Kbu'y,  '•  when  tliey  might  Irnd  them  to  God. 
Corrupt  niid  abomiuahio  is  human  nature,  wlim  uuvis 
it<'d  by  that  spiritual  light  which  is  given  only  to  those 
who  seek  it !  " 

On  inspecting  the  anehi  of  Arncliflfe,  Mr.  llodney 
found  it  dreadfully  ulc(;rated,  but,  he  trusted,  not  incura- 
ble, and  he  used  simple  means  to  avert  danger,  assisted 
by  the  practical  knowledge  of  Dennis,  —  whose  conceit, 
h«;wever,  rendered  him  troublesome,  —  and  by  the  neat 
and  gentle  management  ci'  the  women :  his  principal 
reliance  was  on  abundant  cold  water  bathing,  perfect 
rest,  a  little  medicine,  and  regular  diet.  The  man,  now 
Kubdued  by  pain  and  humbled  by  his  depen<lent  coiuli- 
tion,  was  quiet,  and,  Rodney  hoped,  thoughtful  :  he  did 
not  certainly  join  in  the  daily  devotions,  but  Lc  no  lon- 
ger scoffed,  and  was,  at  least,  decently  silent,  and  appar- 
ently attentive  ;  to  the  inexpressible  consolation  of  Vim 
anxious  son. 


■  :i 


f 


II 


•i5C 


THE    BEAR-IIUNTKRS 


ciiaptp:r  XXII. 

Pays  of  Rest.  —  The  Potato  Crop.  —  A  Peep  throiij^h  the  Tele8co|»ai 
—  The  Assatisin's  Fate. —The  Death  of  the  Chief. —  The  Disper- 
sion of  the  Tribe. —  !>own  on  the  Prairies.  —  The  Katl  on  tlw 
River.  — The  Puma. 

Well  supplied  with  provisions,  th'^  inhabitants  of 
the  lodges  allowed  some  time  to  pass  before  they  ven- 
tured beyond  the  river  ;  in  the  mean  time,  learning  and 
teachir.g,  they  quietly  did  good.  Even  ife  v/omen  were 
tempted  to  imitate  the  clean  and  orderly  habits  of  their 
pale  sisters ;  and  Mary  made  for  them,  of  their  ^Ineiy- 
woven  matting,  more  decent  garments  tlian  tiie  l)nflalo- 
skins  they  usually  cast  loosely  round  tlunn.  Now  the 
people  loved  to  join  the  devotions  of  the  Christians  ; 
and  accustomed  from  their  infancy  to  regard  with  rev- 
erence a  supreme  and  unknown  lieing,  they  were  easily 
led  to  understand  and  believe  all  the  wonderful  merc'ta 
of  Iliin  who  made  all,  and  was  unwilling  that  any 
should  be  lost  for  ever. 

Silently,  but  not  unprofitably,  did  Arncliffe,  as  he  lay 
on  a  mat  in  the  open  air,  listen  to  the  simple  lecture* 
Mr.  Kodney  or  Harold  gave  to  the  attentive  Indians 
and  the  phiin  and  easy  persuasions  fell  on  his  wander- 
ing soul  with  more  efficacy  than  the  most  eloquent  ser 
men  to  which  he  had  ever  listened.  In  ten  days  he  was 
able  to  walk,  and  though  by  nature  he  was  stubborn  and 
morose,  he  was  no  longer  violent  and  abusive,  but  re- 


OF    THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


251 


eeived  tlie  attentions  rendered  ti>  lilni  with  sonifctliing 
like  thankfulness. 

Mosquaw  had  spies  out  on  the  watch,  lest  the  di^:.^p. 
pointed  Pawnees  should  track  and  pursue  their  lost  cap- 
tives ;  but  nothing  had  yet  been  seen  of  them,  and  tlj« 
old  clnef  concluded  that  they  must  have  removed  theii 
encampment  to  seek  new  hunting-jjrrounds,  or  to  avni<? 
the  vengeance  of  the  Sioux  ;  and  that,  therefore,  there 
could  be  no  danger  in  occasional  expeditions  to  provide 
necessary  food.  They  once  more,  then,  descended  to 
the  lower  ground,  now  brilliant  in  the  full  beauty  of 
spring,  and  abounding  in  game.  Even  Mr.  Rodney 
was  induced  to  leave  the  quiet  valley,  and  accompany 
the  sportsmen,  to  inspect  the  beauties  of  vegetation, 
hoping  to  discover  some  edible  root  or  vegetable,  to  cor- 
rect the  grossness  of  the  eternal  meat  diet. 

"  But  sure,  sir,"  said  Mike, "  won't  we  have  an  illigant 
crop  of  pratees  of  our  own  soon,  av  they'd  only  be 
growin'  a  bit  bigger,  seeing  that  they're  no  betthcr 
nor  a  good  bite  at  this  present,  and  not  worth  diggin'  at 
all?" 

They  all  agreed  with  Mike  that  the  potatoes  were  not 
yet  fit  for  the  table,  and  they  must  set  out  after  some 
vegetable  diet.  Therefore  Rodney  and  Harold,  accom- 
panied by  Captain  Scruton  (who  was  anxious  to  take 
the  bearings  of  the  country  over  which  they  must  inev- 
itably have  to  travel),  the  chief,  and  his  son,  a  bold  and 
restless  youth,  about  seventeen  years  old,  set  out,  all 
mounted  and  armed ;  and  descending  to  the  lower 
grounds,  took  this  time  a  north-east  direction.  They 
enjoyed  the  delicious  breezes  of  spring,  admired  the 
rich  scenery  of  grassy,  fertile  land,  covered  with  a  car* 
pet  of  many-colored  llowers,  the  groves  of  noble  trees, 


i' 


2.')2 


TIIK    HKAK-nUNTKUS 


and  lli<'  spurklinf);  riviilcf^,  ponriiijj;  ov<t  gVM^n  h1(>|»?i? 
iiilo  (iiiict  linlc  vjiUcj'J  ivlicic  even  thv  timid  ^\v^'.r 
Hoonji  (1  (()  fear  no  I'lU'iiiy.  and  wImmc  peart}  seemed  fo 
have  dwelt  iVom  the  l)e<ritmi?i<;  of  llie  vvoih'. 

*' Tlii^  is  uoiiderriil,  Harold,"  said  IMr.  Hudiiey.  "I 
ramiot  help  ihiMkin^  dial  the  \vand<'rer.s  IVom  lh«!  east, 
who  are  in  seareh  of  a  honie,  have  never  proceeded  (ar 
enoniijh,  or  ihey  nnisl  have  peopled  (his  Isden.  This 
lovely  rej^ion  does  almost  realize  (he  dreams  of  the 
poet.  Look  at  thai  hank,  now  hhie  with  violets,  where 
tlic  strawheiries  are  already  showinjj;  their  scarlet  hne. 
These  people  do  not  know  their  riclu's.  Here  are  frnit- 
trees  blossomin<:j  with  <••  promise  of*  ahnndanee  in  due 
season  ;  and  if  1  oonld  have  the  time  to  exannne  eare- 
fnlly  1  should  doid»tless  (ind  such  vegelahles  as  woidd 
ajjreeahly  vary  our  diet.  For  instance,  here  is  a  sorrel, 
of  which  I  must  pluck  suificient  for  a  xdad ;  do  assist 
nie,  Harold." 

"  I  am  watchin ,  Scrnton,"  answered  lie.  "  What  ia 
it  you  are  looking  out  for,  caj)tain  ?  l.s  there  a  sail  in 
sight  ?  " 

"  No,  INIr.  Crofton,"  answei'cd  Scrnton  ;  "  hut  I  see 
something  I  don't  at  jill  like.  I'm  no  hand  at  the  Indian 
lingo,  but  I'll  trouble  you  to  pipe  out  to  the  old  eom- 
modore  that  there's  a  smoke  lying  off  north-north- 
east." 

This  was  startling  information  ;  and  when  Mosquaw 
was  told  of  the  discovery  made  by  the  "  long  eye,"  as 
they  termed  the  telescope  of  their  friends,  he  declared 
that  they  must  return  immediately,  keeping  under  the 
hills,  to  escape  observation  and  to  insure  a  retreat  if 
necessary. 

The  impetuous  young  Mahagan,  the  son  of  the  chiet, 


OK    TIIF-    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


2:)3 


tiiriXM]  lo  his  fallKT,  and  said,  "Our  (rihc  arc  not  small- 
h<'nr(<Ml  ;  linvc  w«'  iKtt  tlic  fin'-w('!i|K)tis  of  death  with 
us?  Is  it  ^ood  that  we  should  fly  like  the  cowardly 
(h'cr  hcforc  the  hunters?  Shall  wo,  not  chase  the  Sioux 
to  their  own  lodj^es,  who  cutne  to  drive  the  liufT'alo  from 
our  huntiuj:-;i;r(»unds  ?  The  sou  of  Mosq.iaw  is  not  a 
cowardly  <h'er." 

"  The  ,«on  pives  not  counsel  to  the  father,"  replied 
Mos(|uaw.  "  Why  should  \  di^  U|)  the  hatchet  of  war? 
It  is  {j!;ood  that  luy  people  should  Ix;  hap])y.  It  is 
p>od  thai  they  >hoidd  live  like  the  Christian  pale-facjvs, 
in  peace  and  love  to  all  in  the  vvculd,  till  the  (ireat 
Spirit  call  them  to  jwace  and  love  forev<'r.  1  have 
sp<dten." 

As  the  chief  cf)ncluded,  an  arnuv  twaiij^r-d  from  a 
thicket  they  w<'re  pa-sin;^,  and  entered  the  hrea-t  of 
the  jjfood  old  tnan,  who  fell  from  his  luu'se  to  tli<*  ^rroiuid. 
With  a  wild  cry,  Harold  ali^'hted  to  a-si-t  him  ;  wliih* 
IMaha^au,  snatching;  the.  rifle  from  his  hand,  which  he 
had  learned  to  handle,  lired  hfjfh  harrels  into  the  thicket, 
and  a  deep  (froan  announce<l  that  tlM*  shots  ha<l  taken 
<'ffect.  Then  he,  pluni];ed  throuj^h  th(^  hushes,  and 
dra;ip;e(l  forth  the  convulsed  form  of  a  tall,  hide(»us  sav- 
ajH',  paiutecl  fantastically  with  r"d,  yellow,  and  whit*;; 
his  hair  plaited  ju  lon;^  tails,  ami  deco/ated  with  hrass 
riu^'-,  whih^  frcun  his  ^jjirdle  ilepended  a  mnnher  f>f 
scalps.  He  had  received  two  mortal  woujids;  hut  with 
ficM'ce  trimnph,  he  yet  endeavop'd  to  sound  tlu;  fearful 
war-whoop;  it  was,  however,  too  late;  it  turned  into 
the  rattle  of  death,  and  he  fell  hack  a  corpse.  Then, 
lookinjr  on  his  dyini;  father,  the  distracted  Maha^an 
drew  out  his  hatchet  to  take  the  scalp  of  the  murderer; 


I 


'ltll«M«» 


h«tt 


«« 


•H« 


;K^f^ 


h' 


2A4 


Tin-  Ml  \H  iirNTi  n« 


ImiI    uitN   (he  \'.\\  v\\\nl  ol"  Miilhorily.   Alt  -(|U!nv    IoiImkIo 
him. 

"  Sullrr  liiiii  no!  lo  Immoiu«»  liKo  (Im>  Sioiix,  iiuhli^ 
I'hri^diiM,"  s!»i«l  llio  rinci  to  Mr.  UimIucv  ;  "  il  lio 
nhonM  (mKc  oh»>  sriilp,  In*  «ill  dc^in'  mnny,  ;«!iil  my 
people  will   lollow    hnn.      I    know  tliiit    tin'   s»'Ml|t  Imiilcr 


III 


(US  no   piMrc    in   llio    pra»MMUl  woi 


>iul 


l.i    I 


now  Mr«'  o|M>Minj^ 


boToit'  nu\  MMluij^Mn,  il  is  not  iMoinpiinv.il  is  iIh  (iitjit 
Spirit  lumsclt"  thai  immv  suys,  hM  none  ol"  my  ('hriliiiii 
pooph'  v\ov  Inlvo  M  M-!»lp.  TmUo  im^  lo  nw  h'<|iM<,  ih.'il  1 
may  \\\v." 

W  illi  t\\\  imnu>vi»hh'  connlniimco,  though  «'vi«hMilIy 
h<M»t  down  \>ilh  sorrow,  iMf»hiv^\an  nssishil  llnrohl  t(i 
support  lh«»  old  rhirt"  on  his  horse,  whilo  ihoy  niMdi. 
suoh  sp«'rd  MS  ih('\  wrn'  mMc,  lo  iM'nrli  iho  l«)d(:rs  Itrlorir 
tho  r<'|i«>il  ol'  iho  ^im  should  draw  ll»o  Sionx  iVom  ilioir 
tMirampmcnl  lo  n'\on«r«>  tho  «h'aih  «»!'  ihcir  spy  ;  hut 
v\ou  hciovo  ihoy  could  pla«M'  lh(>  vrni'iahlo  man  on  llm 
gnuind  in  ihr  mid^l  ol'  his  wjiiling  pooplo,  Mr.  Kodiioy 
w:\\\  in  his  I'aoo  thai  whoii  iho  arrow,  which  hati  onlorrd 
«UM'pl\  inio  his  hi-casl,  shoiild  ho  withdrawn,  «loatli  must 
t'ollow. 

Somo  oC  tho  old  mon  of  tho  triho,  who  had  rrhisrd 
Jo  listt-n  to  th<*  now  tloclrino  of  tho  psilo-laoos,  hron<j!;hl 
ilu'  modii'ino  man,  a  oraTiy  htokiiojj  sava;j;o,  who  hail 
Invaii.ddv  o>  inr<'d  a  disliko  i<»  tJ\o  ,stran:'«'r,s ;  hnl    Mos- 


d    I 


k^naw    w:i\(»t    lum   away:    ho   joi 


incd 


(>arnosiiv    in 


t»^ 


II 


10 


pra\(M*s  Mr.  Kodnov  road  t«»  him.  and  a  holy  rosi^nalio 


u 


w:vs  spn'ad  o\  or  Ir.s  oonnlinanco. 

**  I  WA>nld  vot  sn(»ak  somo  words  to  >ou,  mv  rliildit'n," 

10  Sionx  aro  manv  :  thov  aro  ficiro 


said  lio  faintly 


ri 


luui    rovtnjjotnl;  tlioy    will    lolh)W    tho    trail;  the)?    will 


M 


f\ 


fM'    Tlir,    IHMKY     M«.'I  NfAiNfl. 


2:»i 


lirinj;  MoiMHv  iind  <I«'soIit('Miii  on  (li'm  pffir  ('(nl  viillry.  ] 
^(t|(>(i(M|;  iIm'M  !!iihI  my  |n(i|»|r  liM;lf'ii  looiny  llicif 
lilllc  oiWfi  mill  llirir  m<|iimuw  I<»  iIi»'  ^rcMi,  rfl'iij/f,  vvlicrn 
1Ih»  Siniix  t'liimol  ((iiiM".      I  liMVf  -|iol<(ii." 

TImmi,  liiiiiiii^  In  lii-»  ^iM'-ifs  In-  |ii(»c(('(Ir(|  :  "  I  Icnvo 
iny  piilc  ItfiillMi-^.  (hi  (idfl  oill ;  tiic  ll  will  l»c  ji  li(»it 
liiiM',  llu'ii  lliry  will  tfinir  mI  (».  \\\i\  liny  rnii<>t  not 
H'limiii  willi  my  proplr'.  IMiilm.":"  i-  yoiiii;'  jui'l  fiery; 
Ih>  lo(ik«  will)  rvjl  r\i'  «>ii  llic  invrr-;  ni'  |i(iic«'.  My 
IhmIImts  miMl  jivdiil  oti  oiM'  liHii'l  ill'"  l»l<i(»<ly  Sioux, 
on   lliP    oilier    llie    (reiieiieroiiM    Jiri'l    en-laving    I'liwriees; 


lliey    tniisi    fiiril    llieir    i't\ir-i    lu    Ihr-    ri^in^r    silfi, 


till    tl 


cotn 


e    |(»    llie    Iim|<.m'-i    of    (heir    pule    hroliieix;    tlieo    tjir 


TiiM^I  fjny,  '  Ilie  red  men  nl<o  luive  soiih ;  lliey  de-^irn 
(o  jive  in  peMre  with  (lie  pMle-CMee-;,  to  v\li(»m  (iod  liiH 
j^iven  wi  d«mi  nnd  mII  i.'ood  lliini^s,  VV'liy  •  lioidd  not 
nil  l»e  hrollier.s  on  the  eiulli,  lor  ^iod  will  make  u\\ 
brollierr*  idler  llie  en<l.' " 

Amids*  llie  imrepressed  weepirii^  of  llie  -Iran^'er-;, 
Hie  diejt  ImiI  dijMiilied  sor'row  of  lii-;  (»wn  people,  iu\(\ 
\\u',  prayriM  of  the  pioiM,  the  (dd  man  pnsned  away. 
Al  llie  desir*!  (d"  Mr.  Il(»dney,  he  wa-4  hiiried  wilh 
Cliri-li.an   riles,  heneath   u  drooping  willow.      'I  hen    \\t() 


sN'rn  IndiaiiK  tralhered   lof^eiher  llieir 


smal 


»o-4MesHif)nH. 


Mini  prepared  (or  lli^hl.  The  ^iienfrt  also  prepared  to 
tak<i  lip  tlieir  hnrderiH ;  hut  Malia;.'an  «aid  :  '*  Mosrpiaw 
has  spoken  ;  he.  has  said  th«  pale-l'ace.H  riiu>t  tak*-.  tho 
horses,  lor  I  hey  cuii'iol  h(!  hron^hl  into  the  retrea*  of  th« 
Hjpmws."  * 

Most  ;^ladly  the  travellers  avaih'd  them  clvf-H  of"  the 
ofler.  1  li«'y  bestowed  on  Maha;^an,  in  relnrri,  a  riflf 
Riid  fi  supply  of  ammiinilion,  toi^eihei-  wilh  various  arti- 
rJcK  of  difiss  from  the  »to<k  ot    Harold,  whieh  the  )oiim«» 


n 


hv' 


H 


ru] 


Till',  nrAu-!irNi  riis 


rliici   l»M<l   loim  ri'irjinlcil  wiili  «»ov«'lniH  t'ye 


r\ 


10   rosl 


nil  IoiiikI  soiur  loKrn^  tt)  \rn\r  willi  iImmi'  KhhI  iiiriids; 
Williiim  lu'slowi'd  nn  Prslion  M  \v<iiHlt'i  Inl  knilc,  willi 
hooks,  Mtui  s(M*(>\vs,  and  olIwM-  iis(>riil  ixldiiions;  and  llio 
rliir',"  iM.'diM;:,!m,  ulio  luid  now  p.'iitilrd  liimsrH"  blaciv,  Irt 
oxpn'ss  Ills  luomnin^,  wjjs  won  o\  rr.  hv  niiiny  ^ills,  to 
|>MJ(  with  Ids  }riio.;(s  ill  a  inor<»  iVicndly  inaiiiH'r  (lian 
llio\  liiid  (>\p<M'(<'d  ;  (or  lli<>  iiiodiciiio  niMii  li.id  MrH'iilly 
MijijiOsli'd  to  Inin  iIimI  if  was  llio  \  i-il  oC  llic  |t;do  Mlraii- 
g(Ms  (ha(  had  Inoiiolii  all  llio  ovil  upon  |Im>  hilx'. 

Taking  loaNc  of"  llio  \onni;  rlnoC,  and  ojllio  soirowini^ 
and  gralofnl  INslioo,  llic  hisl  who  roinaincd  iiiar  I  ho 
d<'sorlod  lodtros,  tho  liavt'llors  sol  on(,  and  ho  six  slont 
horsos  oairioK  not  onl>  iho  ha>ijrM«i(",  hnl  Doniiis  with 
I'at  bohind  liiin.  ISIiko  and  .htlin  rach  oanyiii<r  a  woman 
hohind,  Captain  SitmIoii,  IMr.  Kodnoy,  and  Anu'lilVo; 
Harold  i'ho«>sino:  to  ualk  with  I^ick  and  William.  yVllor 
dno  ranlion  in  ionkinti  «nit  lor  rnoinios,  thry  icachod 
(ho  )»nvor  liionnd-;,  ami  pnr-ncd  their  jonnioy  to  tho 
rast,  not  pansini:  o\on  \o  provide  lood  till  ihoy  had  pmo 
fwonty  milos;  Ihon,  liorsos  and  men  alik«"  latigiicd.  they 
rost<'d  for  tho  niiih<  amidst  fh(>  willows  on  tho  hanks  of 
a  rivor  swarminu'  with  fish,  and  with  hooks,  nets,  and 
fipoars.  proonied  a  ^oo{\  <piantily  of  iho  lar;:;o  Ainoriraii 
>vhit(*  fish,  (\)nr(f<))»us  <il/ms,  whi»'h  wciiihcd  four  or  livo 
n>nnds  oaoli,  and  woro,  when   broiled,  most  d<di(  ions   (o 


I 

iho  tlo>h-siokonoii  lrav(dlers. 

"  It  w.as  little  I'd  iver  ho  thiiikin'  inaslher,"  said  l'e^;j:y 
to  tlio  old  sehoolinastiM',  "  that  wm'VI  be  tirin'  of  good 
niato  ;  but  suro,  it's  net  shnlable  it  is  to  tho  raal  Jv'ish, 
liki'  ike  bU'ssod  pratoo.  Oehone!  ami  didn't  Mike,  tin? 
jrossiH>n.  and   niysi 


df 


^t'C 


that   same:  and  didn't  we  diir 


up  ivory  tast"  of  a   pratoo,  barrin"  ihoni  p;iy--iized  ;  and 


E; 


or   riif,  iKirHv   m<»i;ntainh. 


257 


ii«'inlw ; 

',  \\\\\\ 

ItlCfV,    U\ 

i^ii'lH,  to 
>r  tliiin 
arH'iiily 
0  nlian- 

nn\vin<^ 
irnr  llni 
ix    shmt 

nis  with 

nu'lilVr  ; 

|('IH'1m"«1 

It)    tluj 

Mil    }iOM(" 

('(1,  lliry 
tivnks  of 
(Ms,  soul 
iwrri'.'iin 
r  or  liv(^ 
( ious   to 

1  Vvixi^y 
of  good 
liil  L'ish, 
llik*',  tin; 
we  (li;^ 
till  ;  Mti'l 


filliii'!    lip   fli'"    two   l»i<  fid-ltJi''-^    wr    wrir,   nnd    liuri^'inii 
tliiMii  ncHH-j   llif  li(»r-!CM  ;  and   llir  Imstr-;  luvcr  sHyin;^  n 


d! 


Word  fijjin  llic  loud 

'llir  |inid('iM»'  <»r  l*''^j;y  ninl  (d'  Mikf,  fii'd  fo  iin- 
W(  'ilod  rx'Tfioiis  liy  the  Kivr  of  l!ic  jnnfri\  wjh  lnj.ddy 
KJiti'^rnrloiy  (o  nil,  who  ;^l;idly  !ic( w'|i(rd  iln-  |i>df'-ri|M'iir(| 
liollilors  i\<  u  |»i<'!i!Uit  iiddilioii  fo  lli'ir  di»'t.  'Mh*  iirxt 
HHtciiin^,  lull  of  hope,  (Im  V  (oidfd  llic  livr,  und  cofi' 
•  iiiiH'd  llifir  joiiitM-y,  iiiuiKdc^lcd,  over  ricli  and  r»itil« 
piiiiiH,  iiili'i'ni|)l(  (i  only  liy  tlif^  Miuricroim  rnoimtMin 
ptrrmii^,  wliidi,  liowrvrr  ii<»  rul  in  -ii|>|dyiriji;  fli'rri  r'  ri- 
lilMiilly  with  wjihr,  i('(|iiirr(|  |»;i!if  or*'  and  litrif  to  lord  ; 
aixl  llwy  c'Hild  not  lifdp  flif-adnijt  that  so'n»'  d('C|i<'r  livr 
iiii^fll  ('III  cirtlicii-  |(ro;^iv'-<s  in  tlic  diT'ctiori  tlicy  desired 
to  kr('|». 

I'"or  srvcral  day-  llic  jonirif-y  wa-«  «'a-y  and  i\<^vf'cn))]i' 
o\rv  a.  ;^ra>sy  iindwlalin;/  piaiii'-,  risirif/;  and  falling!;  likfi 
llm  waves  of  llic  s(  a,  iknci-   level,  hut   never  nioiintairi- 
oiis,  except    that  occasionally    ''"'y  came   in   sij.dit.  of  an 


if 


isolate*!  woocl-eovered  rnonnlain,  which  rose  on  the,  wi( 
plains  like,  a  work  of  art.  'Ihc-te  rnonrifains,  Arrieliffo 
lold  them,  were  universally  -hiinned  hy  tho  wanderirirf, 
siijM'rstitioiis  Indians,  who  looked  on  thern  as  the  haunts 
ol  demons.  Therefore,  lh(!s(;  s[)ots  were  j^eneially  chosen 
hy  the  trav(dle,rs  us  r(;stin;]j-j)la(;es,  in  f)rder  to  he  sCviiire 
from  nfX'tiirnal  attacks. 

Slill  they  did  not  nc^^hict  to  keef)  up  a,  fire,  as  a  pro 
tectioji  from  the,  wild  hearts,  the  howls  and  cries  of 
^vliich  they  frequently  heard  in  the,  rii<.dit.  Diiriiif;  the 
day  they  were  usually  .^uceessful  in  shooting  a  deer,  or 
H)nKlim(!s  water-fowl,  or  the  lovely  little  crested  quails; 
but  their  extreme  heautv,  and  the  small  amount  of  nu- 
triment   on    each    d<dicate    little    ("rume,  secured    thern 

22* 


k»«t  n 


i-'?j  * 


or. 


r.8 


THK  hea.r-hlnti:rs 


iisiijilly  from  destruction,  unless  they  could  not  meet 
with  other  g{»«ne,  or  were  not  near  the  water  to  obtam 
Hsh. 

Al  length  one  evening  they  came  on  a  deep  rivH/, 
flowing  south,  which  eflectually  cut  ot!"  their  [)rogrc  , 
unless  they  had  chosen  to  deviate  from  their  cour  , 
aiid  tri'Vel  along  its  banks;  an<1  this  wnul*'  ha /e  >',ub- 
jtMt;-  I  t'  em  to  <ne  dai  j;er  of  encountering  the  tribes  of 
in-'h  'IS  who  choose  the  neighborhood  of  rivers  for  the 
bile  oi  ''.eir  tcmpoiary  villages. 

"There 3  lots  of  good  timnier  about,  captain,"  said 
Dick  ;  ''  is  it  your  orders  as  how  I  should  rig  up  a 
raft  ?  " 

"  Raft  let  it  be  ;  nothing  better,"  said  Scruton.  "  Call 
out  the  hands.  Now,  work  with  a  will,  lads  ;  and,  Mar- 
lin,  remember,  if  you  have  to  drive  in  any  nails,  draw 
them  out  when  we've  done  with  the  rait;  there's  no  oc- 
casion for  extravagance ;  we  don't  know  yet  what  we 
may  want." 

*'  Ay,  ay,  captain,"  replied  Dick,  "  leave  me  alone  for 
reckoning  'em  o\er;  a  nail's  a  nail  when  a  ship's  so  far 
out  of  port.  Come,  John,  my  man,  thou  canst  I'-.umel 
an  axe  better  nor  these  here  wakely  lads  ;  and  look 
sharp,  man,  that  thou  doesn't  chop  thy  legs  off." 

Jietbre  they  slept,  some  willows  were  cut  down,  and 
early  in  the  morning  all  hands  were  employed  in 
binil'iig  them  together,  and  overlaying  them  with 
branches  placed  transversely,  to  form  a  safe  resting- 
place  for  the  passengers  and  the  baggage.  To  the  end 
of  the  raft  a  stout  rope  was  attached,  and  Harold 
insisted  on  svumming  across  with  this  rope.  In  the 
mean  time  the  horses  were  tied  together  in  a  line,  and 
Joim  plunged  in  t*)  swim  across,  leading  the  reluctant 


S- 


„,|J,n|; 


OF    THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAlNa. 


253 


animals.  But  this  {)rove(l  a  mori!  diiricult  iiiide.talviiig 
tliiiii  Wits  expected;  the  horses  hud  not  betMi  usr  \  to 
the  V  ater ;  the  stream  was  strong,  and  they  bL'c;vi  so 
unniauageable  that  Harold  was  conipeUed  to  swi  -^  out 
to  Fleet  and  assist  Joini,  and  after  muoh  struggling  ihey 
LUL'ceeded  in  landing  tive.  The  last  had  broken  loose, 
and  had  been  carried  down  the  river  so  rapidly  that 
thoiigii  the  boys  on  the  opposite  side  ran  at  full  speed 
down  the  bank,  they  only  came  up  in  time  to  see  tne 
poor  creature  whirled  rouiul  in  an  eddy,  formed  by  a 
rocky  isle  in  the  niid>t  of  tl  river,  and  then  sink  ex- 
hausted in  a  deep  pool  beyo'a  '  V    Jr  reach. 

Then  John  and  Harold  ttiic..^  I  the  towing-rope  to 
the  horses,  and  they  easi!  ,;.nu  .'■afely  drew  over  the  raft 
with  the  baggage;  and  muei  dt\jected  at  the  loss  of 
the  useful  horse,  the  ti  ■  M  .'s  slowly  and  silently  re- 
sumed their  way,  —  for  now  one  more  was  necessarily 
added  to  the  pedestrians,  and  they  walked  forward 
gloomily  anticipating  similar  misfortunes. 

The  ensuing  day  was  hot,  the  roa<l  more  hilly,  and 
the  travellers  spiritless  and  weary ;  they  drew  near 
another  of  the  solitary  mountains,  or  Jitittes,  as  the 
French  settlers  naned  them,  and  ni<jht  beii.v:  at  hand, 
selected  it  for  their  encampment ;  and  linding  a 
hollow  cave,  commodious  for  their  baggage,  they 
lighted  a  fire,  and  contenting  themselves  with  a  supper 
of  cold  venison,  sought  for  rest  after  their  cares  and 
toils. 

Harold  and  Arncliffe  took  the  first  watch  ;  it  wa? 
almost  a  silent  watch,  for  Harold  was  weary,  and 
Arncliffe  was,  as  usual,  gloomy,  and  suspicious  that  \\U 
companion  regarded  him  with  contempt  or  aversion 
A-fter  some  tim«,  Harold,  feeling  very  drowsy,  began  to 


2G0 


THE    BEAK-IIUNTKRS 


!• 


I  .:'i 


>%«:«•'« 


'Ml 


Vt 


walk  to  aiitl  fro  at  one  sith;  of  the  lire  to  kt'i'j)  Iiiiiiself 
awake; ;  Ariiclitre  choosing  to  pacti  on  tho  opposite  .side. 
Sii(i(h'n]y  a  rustling  in  the  wood  alarmed  Harold,  who 
called  out  to  his  conipanion  to  come  nn,  und  made  to 
that  [)art  of  the  wood  from  wiienee  the  sound  pro- 
ceeded. The  glare  of  a  pair  ofliery  eyes  through  the 
bushes,  directed  their  aim,  and  they  both  tired.  A 
fierce  yell  was  heard,  then,  with  glowing  eyes  and 
gnashing  teeth,  a  large  animal  sprung  ov*  upon 
Arneliffe.  To  tire  on  it  was  dangerous;  therefore 
Harold  drew  his  knife,  and  plunged  it  into  the  heart  of 
the  beast.  A  momentary,  but  fearful  struggle  followed  ; 
the  yells  of  the  animal  and  the  shrieks  of  the  man 
mingled  in  horrible  confusion,  and  roused  Dick  and 
John,  who  assisted  Harold  in  extricating  ArnclilFe  from 
the  beast,  which,  even  in  death,  grasped  him  firndy. 
When  released,  he  was  bleeding  from  gajung  wounds 
inflicted  by  the  strong  beast,  which  they  now  saw  was 
the  puma  of  many  names,  the  representative  ol  the  lion 
in  America. 

Leaving  the  animal,  they  all  turned  to  assist  Arn- 
eliffe, now  supported  by  his  distressed  son.  "  Never 
heed  me,  Will,"  said  he ;  *'  I'm  well  out  of  your  way. 
Old  Dennis  is  always  muttering  his  evil  bodings  about 
me ;  they  all  keep  off  me  ;  they  say  I'm  the  Jonah  that 
brings  on  all  the  trouble.  It's  hard  on  you  lad  ;  but 
you've  better  blood  than  mine  in  you,  and  you're  sure  to 
get  on  right  if  you  keep  with  the  right  sort,  which  is  more 
th.'in  I  ever  could  manage  to  do.  This  is  bad  to  bide  ; 
but  maybe,  as  Mr.  Rodney  says,  it's  sent  for  good  ;  and 
who  can  tell,  if  I  suffer  a  deal  here,  I  mayn't  luive  lesa 
hereafter." 

"  Don't  talk  ihat  way,  father,"  said   the  shuddering 


OP   TIIK    KOCKY    MOUNTAlN'a. 


2G1 


boy ;  "  it's  sImHiI.  WIuti  God  <i\\'va  ^iviwc  mikI  Ilia 
pardon,  it  is  u  fVt'C  pjinlon  ;  notliiii;;  tlu\t  we  can  do 
or  siitrcr  is  worth  any  thin*;  before  Ilim.  I5ut  suOtMiiit^ 
is  good  for  us,  because  it  humbles  us,  father,  and  h'aiU 
us  to  cast  t)ursolv<!S  wholly  on  His  mercy,  not  on  Hi* 
justice." 

"  I  know  it  all,  boy,"  sighed  the  man  ;  "  but  T  cannot 
keep  down  this  pride  that's  in  my  heart  —  (iod  forgive 
me/'  l»ut  the  struggles  and  pray(*rs  of  the  sinfid  man 
were  not  unavailing.  Amidst  his  suflferings,  his  mind 
became  more  peaceful,  and  he  e\en  submitted  to  thank 
the  kind  friends,  who  delayed  their  journey,  and  re- 
mained at  this  post  of  danger  several  days,  waiting  till 
his  deep  wounds,  under  careful  management,  were  80 
far  lu ahd  as  to  make  it  safe  for  him  to  be  moved  ;  his 
own  improved  tranquillity  of  mind  favorin'j  his  recovery. 


»  « 


hVi 


tin-    in- AM-iiiNiMif 


it 


i'U  \  V  VV  K     \  \  I  M. 

\\tii\-^.       I  IkixIiIx     hist  oiiHlinii'         riti<    I'linn     in    tlii>    ('nitiil.— 
Ml    K<<«lni\v  ti  lV'lin(j\i««nt.       An  Onirn  tor  I'lil. 

IhMMNti  ll)i>^  \'\\\u\  lli<'  intMi  Ii:i<l  -kiinirtl  l)ii<  ItnvDV 
lUOMsii  r.  in  rolor  «MMi!niil>  iTHtMultlin;:  (lie  litm.  Ani- 
v\\\\o  n^'ommindi'tl  lln'  ll«  -li  mj  Immmij  hm  inMtd  ih  v«»hI  ; 
l>u(  fluMiiih  i(  lookod  wliifc  inid  (IclicMlr.  no  oiii'  WU 
tojnpf*  (1  (o  fi'M^i  on  (lu»  CMmnltMl  csnirinllv  us  llio 
n^oimt.'jin  \v«>o«l  snpplic*!  \\\r\\\  wiili  den-  nlMimlnnllv. 
Slill  \hv\  wnc  «H>m|<i'll(>il  lo  Krcn  n  strici  wnlt'li.  Inr 
(ho  u«>l\«'s  K<>|i(  thiMU  in  mI:i\im  Im  lluir  liowlin;';,  Mini 
to  ihis  WMs  M(lil('<l  !i  IcMr  ol  pmn.H  in  llic  wood,  of 
Indians  «>n  \\\o  \\\,\\\\<,  Al  lon|>i||  (||,'v  wen'  jddo  ii;',iiiii 
(o  s«M  o\\\  on  (lioir  lodions  jonii\t'\  ;  ImU  on  llio  scriunl 
d;»\  llu'\  \\»'r<'  on«'o  nioro  slopped  \>\  Mnollicr  lo.'unin^ 
riv<M\  «^r  taihiM-  h\  ihc  iun»Mioi\  «>!'  s««\nMl  sninll  ii\ors 
nt  OM<'  spot,  (www  whoih'o  (Iw  drop  >vMlor  ponr»'d  down 
ttn  iMUisnall)   rapid  d<*>*'rrt  with  the  noi-t'  and  loivo  of  u 

UWTOWi. 

"  >Vo  nuist  (rv  somo  sort  o(  ornO  again.  INIarlin,"  said 
Scrnton. 

"  Av.  av.  oaptain."  at\^worod  ho;  "and  I'd  bo  IhhiM 
to  sav.  wo'd  bo  saftT  io  ri<:  nn  a  tiulil  val't  al  onco  mm 
i»-o\ild  oarr\  ns.  and  sail  hor  down  riiiht  alioad.  Not 
tliat  111  bo  botddinji  out  .as  bv>w  thoso  iVosh-w.alor  «mi(s 
ran  couw  np  lo  opon  sea  ?  bow  should  tb(>v  ;  nariowod 


i-i 


I? 


~  '  -*  »"Vf| 


OK     I  III      lini  K  V     MOI'N  lAINK. 


2(;n 


ill  IH  ill*'}'  in«*  uilli  litinls<  iiimI  lurk^^,  riiMl  ii«i  iiiiillir  of 
Will)  I'  tiinri*  nor  v*hi  nin  ^ir  iIikhi^Ii.  I'ml  >i  I'lll  iIiimva 
lilllr.  y»»  «fM«  ;  iiml  \v«'  mit^lil  iMMim^f  to  's|»(  i  Imi  «  hnr 
ol  iIm'Iii  ktIm  mill  liiiiik^,  iiidI  litivf  ii  Ml  "^iiMMiilicr 
vovM>fi'  nor  iilu|»  ol  IImiii  cvn/y  iiiiiiiiiiU  ih  h  j;iM'ii  fo 
r<Miiii|t'i,  Ol  rlm>  wi-ariii;^  oiil  (»im''m  Hllo^^  |i  ii'l^iiij;^  ov«r 
liiinl  Hloll»<^,'* 

•'  I  (Imi'l  lliiiik  llic  mi«'(o<M»i(tn  ol  iMmlin  i-;  lo  Im? 
ili'^jpi^i'd,  Mr.  ('iMrioii,"  Kiiiil  Scniloh  ;  "  if  we  were  only 
Hiii'i'  ol  till'  rniiiH)'  ol'  till'  livi  r  ;  liiil  il  niii-l  run  into 
Honir  sni  ;  hikI  onlv  !•  I  il-s  roiiir-  in  •-ij.'lil  ol'  ^nll  wiiNt 
M^^iiin,  I  sliiill  Itrl  III  lioiiH',  iiiMJ  will  l)ik<-  riiK'  not  (o 
tiiin  my  lonk  on  il  iiny  niori'." 


My  ilrnr  ('n|ilMin   Sci  nOm,"  -iiid    Koilncy,  "  I    miim-Ii 


ijonlil 


yuiir   nir|iiii|ti     Inin;!^   nlijc,    nndiT   sin 


Il  nil 


vrrsfi 


rii'<'iitiHliinrr-<,  lo  con-lincl  u  Dili  HiiHirji  nlly  ronmio- 
iJiotiM  tuiij  Hiif'r  lor  ii  do/en  piMscri^frH  iind  till  llnir  Im^- 
j^iii^i'.  ('oiild  we  virlnnl  «im'|i  a  vrs-cl  roiild  wo 
indiicr   llir  liinid  woiik  ii  lo  ri  k  llicir   livfs  on  it  -     i^   if, 


iidliiiMi-     lliiil    we    should    rvc 


hind 


in    siiffly 


And 


ithovr  nil,  il  the  kImIi'  ol  iIk-  ri\«r  r(»rnp»dhd  ih  to 
iihaiidoii  il,  how  HJionld  \vf  |iror<'i'd  willi(>iit  oiii'  n-^cfiil 
lloi'His  ?  I'iVili  jif  the  «'(»iniiMii<'('inf  lit,  I  Mhonld  triy<o|| 
Icnr  lo  (lc,-4c<'Md  Ihoso  iJi|iid-<  in  ii  rjil't  —  nnd  wr  <crrn  to 
hr  i^tiulimlly  n|ipro)n'liin;^  lower  ;;ioiind  l»y  )i  sih  (•♦••^sion 
ol'    (IcclivilirH.      It    would     ho    well    to    diler    .huc.Ii    un 

Ul(<'lll|it." 

"At  all  ovciiIm,  Dick,  wo  mii~t  hav  a  fcrry-rafl,"  .N.'iid 
ilai'old  ;  "ho  pri  to  W(ak,  my  in*  ii." 

Il  wjiH  (lihhoarl(!iiiM;(  toil  lo  liavi-  to  rnakc  a  ri*w  raft 
at  rvi-ry  rivor  thai  crosHod  the  jLjir:  .  hut.  tlw-  irMn  did 
not  flinch:  they  cut  down  lli'-  tali  linihci  'rccM,  lo{»pc.(l 
tlit'in,  und   form  ;(!   liic,  i\<H>y'\v*:  of  the   ra'i  ,   l»iU  it  was 


ti'^'i' 


il. 


1fe*l 


I 


264 


THE    BEAR-HUNTERS 


not  till  llic  noon  of  the  following  day  that  thoy  succeeded 
in  lauiKihlng  the  ciiinhroii.s  cnit't,  wiiioh  was  constnicteJ 
more  solidly  than  the  last,  that  they  raif;ht  convey  the 
horses  across.  And,  after  all,  it  was  with  much  diU'i- 
culty  and  dan;i;er,  and  the  labor  of  many  hours,  that  all 
were  safely  carried  over ;  the  horses  having  to  be 
placed  on  the  raft  by  tbrce,  so  much  were  they  alarmed 
by  the  noise  of  the  water.  It  would  have  occupied 
more  lime  than  they  liked  to  waste,  to  have  extracted 
the  >;ails  from  the  raft,  which  they  reluctantly  allowed 
to  Hoat  down  tin;  river. 

"It's  not  uidikely  but  it  may  cast  up  again,"  said 
ArnclifTe  ;  ''  tor  I  learnt  among  the  wandering  Pawnees 
that  some  of  these  rivers  wind  in  and  out  like  snakes  ; 
and  it's  odds  but  we  may  have  to  recross  this  belbre 
we've  done  with  it." 

Very  anxiously  the  travellers  went  forward,  for  some 
time  descending,  till  again  they  saw  liefore  them  a 
wooded  mount,  or  butte,  situated  in  a  lovely  little  vale, 
which  was  watered  by  a  gentle  stream,  and  covered 
with  rich  verdure  and  bright  flowers. 

*'  Sure  isn't  it  a  pratee-ground  intirely  ?  "  exclaimed 
Mike,  stopping  in  admiration  near  a  patch  of  inter- 
n.ingled  plants  of  ranker  and  taller  growth  than  the 
rest,  amongst  which,  unmistakably,  the  white  flowers  of 
the  potatoe  predotninated. 

"  This  certainly  looks  like  cultivation,"  said  ]\Ir. 
Rodney  ;  "  thoi' ;h  it  is  evidently  not  of  recent  date. 
What  have  you  met  with,  little  one?"  asked  he  of  Pat, 
who  had  been  rambling  round  the  wood,  and  who  now 
returned,  with  a  lace  full  of  staring  wonder. 

"  It's  a  raal  house,  yer  !io  -ler!  "  exclain>ed  he  ;  "and 
niver   a   cabin    at  all,   j*    all ;   and  the    door   stannin* 


!i, 


OF   THE    ROCKT    MOUNTAIN*. 


265 


open      Sure,  wouldn't   we  be  sakliig  if  the   inastlior  be 


III 


As  the.  easiest  mode  of  solving;    Pat' 


mystery, 


the 


whole  party  followed  liim  round  the  foot  of  the  moun- 
tain wood,  at  the  east  oi'  wliicli  tlu-y  really  beheld  a 
rough  log  hut,  totally  diiferent  from  the  temporary  wig- 
wams of  Indian  const/uetion,  and  formed  to  be  solid  and 


x'rmanent. 


I 

"It's  the  hut   of   some   of   the   hunters   or   trappers 

from  the  east,"  said  Arneliti'e  ;  "they  irritate  the  trib«'s 
by  intruding  on  their  grounds  and  driving  off  their 
game.  liut  they've  hard  lives  of  it  ;  and  in  the  end  it'3 
odds  but  they  lose  their  scalps.  I'd  have  you  see  what 
sort  of  folks  live  yonder,  before  you  ofl"(;r  to  put  up 
there." 

But  Harold  had  already  boldly  entered  the  hut,  and 
found  it  eontaiued  but  one  large  room,  which  was  now 
desert(,'d  anil  desolate.  The  du<t  and  dried  leaves  of 
more  than  one  season  had  aeeumulate(l  on  the  floor, 
through  an  opening  left  to  aibnit  the  light.  Some  logs 
of  wood,  whieh  had  Mp{)aremly  beeri  used  for  a  table 
and  seats,  and  a  rude  frame  of  wocxl,  with  a  buffalo-skin 
stretehed  over  it,  for  the  purpose  of  a  bedstead,  formed 
the  whole  of  the  furniture  ;  but  the  roof  of  shingles 
and  the  substantial  walls,  gave  the  |)laee  an  appear- 
an(H'    of    homely   security   that    was    attractive    to    ihit 


weary 


(( 


Ilis  name  be  praised,"  said  Dennis.     "Sure,  ih 


en. 


won't  I  be  spared  yet  ;  for  hasn't  He  brought  us 
through  th(;  tents  o(  the  ungodly,  and  out  of  vhf 
mouths  of  lions,  and  set  our  feet  down  in  a  plea->  it, 
aiul  in  a  Christian  ealtin,  where  we'll  be  ihidiiig  lesf  <%t 
last." 

M 


266 


THE    BKAR-nUNTERS 


mp*  'i 


Harold  felt  grieved  at  the  necessity  of  urging  tlie  old 
man  I'orwanl  on  the  toilsome  journej  ;  but  to  leave  him 
behind,  even  in  a  region  of  plenty,  would  have  been 
still  more  cruel,  ho\v(!ver  reluctant  he  might  be  to  go 
on.  At  present,  however,  all  agreed  to  rest  in  thi? 
tem[)ting  shelter. 

Peggy  was  immediately  busy  in  directing  her  work 
men  ;  and  while  William  shovelled  out  the  dehris  of 
successive  aututuns,  Mike  constructed  a  large  broom  of 
brushwood ;  then  the  women  swept,  and  cleared  the 
dwelling  for  the  recej)tion.  John  and  Dick,  in  the 
menu  time,  unloaded  the  horses,  and  secured  them  in  a 
slightly-fenced  corral  at  one  end  of  the  hut.  Aft'M*  this 
work  was  completed,  INlike  eagerly  called  on  Will  to 
asj.ist  him  in  digging  up  the  potatoes,  which  were  run- 
ning to  waste  in  the  wilderness.  They  were  much 
larger  than  the  unripe  tubers  they  had  brought  from 
their  own  jK>tafo-groimd  at  the  lodges;  an  ample  su[)- 
ply  was  takuU  up,  and  spciedily  cooked;  and  the  travel- 
lers thoroughly  enjoyed,  in  the  Irish  fashion,  a  smoking 
bowl  of  potatoes. 

"Wouldn't  he  be  Irish,  sure,"  said  Peggy,  "and  he 
plantin'  his  pratee-ground  in  this  same  wild  coniithry, 
just  to  be  mindin'  him  of  home  and  them  lui'd  left  be- 
hind him?" 

"  More  likely  some  Yankee  hunter,"  answered  Arn- 
cliffe.  "They're  as  fond  of  a  potato  with  their  hard 
bullalo  beef  as  ever  an  Irishman  can  be." 

"And  where  will  he  be,  Arnclifle,  are  ye  thinkin'?" 
asked  she. 

*'  ]li>  scalp  will  likely  be  hanging  at  the  girdle  of 
flomt;  Sioux  chief,"  replied  the  man,  "serving  him  righl 
tor  hiniting  on  other  folks'  grounds." 


OK    THE    ROCKT    M0UXTAIX3. 


267 


he  old 

e  him 
!  been 

to  go 
n   thi? 

work 
Wis  of 
)oin  of 
ed  the 
in    the 
r^m  in  a 
\or  this 
Will  to 
ire  run- 
i  much 
it  from 
)le  siip- 
truvel- 
moking 

ami  he 
uiithry, 
left  l»e- 

.1  Arn- 
lir  hurd 

ikln'  ?  " 

idle  of 
0  righl 


"  They  transport  'cm  wi'  us,"  said  John.  "  I  reckon 
it's  all  one  as  poaching,  isn't  it,  Mr.  Arncliire?" 

"Ay,  ay,"  answered  Arnclill'c:  "Mhicx  ing,  the  Indiana 
call  it;  lair  play,  the  himt<'r8  and  trappers  say.  It's 
nuu-.h  the  same  with  our  poai^hcrs  and  gentry;  1  leave 
it  t^  wiser  heads  to  say  which  is  right." 

"  In  England,  my  men,"  said  Kodney, "  we  are  hound 
to  obey  the  laws  that  protect  poor  and  rich  ;  and  by 
these  laws  poaching  is  a  crime.  Doubtless,  also,  the 
Indians  consider  that  intrusion  on  their  himtiuij-jxroiHuls 
ivS  an  aggression,  and  we  cannot  wonder  tliat  they  resist 
it.  That  their  resent m<!nt  is  shown  by  hlood>hed  is  the 
result  of  tlieir  savage  and  unconverted  nature.  It  is 
the  duty  of  Christians,  while  tiiey  striv(;  to  win  them  to 
milder  practices,  to  conform  to  their  laws.  That  is, 
Harold,  I  beli(.'ve  we  are  justilied  in  killing  animals  lor 
food,  or  in  sell-defence;  but  not  in  wantonly  destroying 
them,  as  some  travelh-rs  boast  of  having  done;  not  in 
playing  them  in  huniheds,  as  the  trappers  do,  to  make 
money  of  the  skins.  !Xow,  my  IViends,  let  us  thank 
God,  who  has  bi'ought  us  thus  far  on  our  strange;  jour- 
ney, and  given  us  a  roof  to  shelter  the  feeble.  For  my 
own  part,  I   have  learnt  to  prefer  the  open  air  in  this 


P 
mild  season." 

"  And  we  must  keep  up  the  watch,  Mr.  Rodney," 
said  Scruton ;  "it  is  my  duty  to  see  that  is  not  neg- 
lected." 


The  lirst  two  on  watch  did  not  think  it  ncce 


ssary  or 


expedient  to  keej)  up  a  fire  ;  but  resting  one  again.-! 
each  side  of  the  open  door,  they  alternately  slumbered 
auil  started,  neither  dreading  danger,  nor  in  good  condi- 
lion  to  op])Ose  U  after  their  day  of  fatigue.     Will  unJ 


1    I 


iif 


\9 


It'  1  ■  i\  t 


iH 


268 


THK    IlKAU-rlUNTKKS 


John,  the  sccoiiil  wutcli,  after  two  liotirs*  slrep,  wrre 
more  al»»rt,  and  after  a  short  time,  tlicy  fancied  *liey 
heard  thi?  soinids  of  inovenient,  and  even  a  low  }»rowl- 
inj;.  They  h;;hted  a  l)rand  and  looked  round,  hut 
found  nothinj^  alarming.  The  nij^ht  was  extremely 
dark,  and  though  they  considered  their  own  j)osition 
(juile  secure,  they  collected  a  lew  sticks  and  set  them 
on  (in;  helbre  the  door,  in  case  any  wolv(,'s  should  <u>me 
down  from  the  wootl. 

Ahout  thiei!  o'clock,  when  a  dim  light  was  spreading 
over  the  sky,  Harold  and  Dick  came  on  watch,  and 
throwing  a  glance  round  to  see  that  all  was  sale,  they 
beheld  a  strange  form,  immovahle,  not  more  than  a 
do/en  yards  from  tlu'm.  The  glittering  vyi'A  could  not 
he  mistaken,  it  was  plaiidy  some  fierce  heast ;  hut 
Harold  hesitated  a  moment  hefore  he  would  llri^  on  a 
creature  that  waited  so  coolly  to  he  shot.  Besides, 
Arnclifle,  stretched  on  a  bearskin,  was  sleeping  out- 
KiiUi   the   hut.      To   him,  therefore,  he   turned   liist,  say- 


III*' 


"  Rouse  up,  Arncliire;  there's  dang<*r.  I'm  going  !o 
KJtoot  yon  beast,  whatever  it  may  be,  and  if  I  should 
not  succeed  in  killing  if,  you  are  not  in  a  wvy  safe  •,^Q• 
«iti(>n." 

"  Hold  your  hand,  Mr.  Crofion,"  replied  the  man. 
**  Y'on  li'llow's  a  grizzly.  Vvw  to  one;  you'll  miss  him 
ttllogether  in  this  p«'rp!exing  light,  or,  worse  than  that, 
luaybe  oidy  wound  him.  ll<-\s  bad  lo  kill:  it  takes  half 
H  dozen  men  to  be  u  fair  match  to  a  grizzly." 

*' 1  i^hwuld  say  a  very  unfair  match,  Arncliffe,"  said 
Harold.  *' ('ome  in,  all  of  you,  I'll  hold  the  entrance; 
wid   it's   but    a    retread    if    I    mi--;   him.      I    think    he'll 


OV    TIIK    ROCKY    MOUNTAISi. 


209 


hiinlly  -.(jtUM  z(!  that  liiif^c  \un\y  of  his  tlir()ii<^h  tlii>  op'-n- 
iii^  ;  but  it's  miliH'ky  tlierci's  no  door.     Mow  thru,  you'i« 

nil  in." 

Hcfon.^  AriiclilTii  could  repeat  his  caution,  Harold  had 
hri'd  and  retreated,  hut  not  so  (piickly  as  to  escaj)e  the 
8prin;;  of  tlu;  animal,  which  with  our.  blow  of  his  sharp 
claw,  ton?  the  ^nn  iVoni  his  ^rrasp,  and  the  skin  and  tle^h 
from  ill-  h'lMil ;  tiieii  luniinj^  roinid,  the  hea-t  walked 
slowly  away,  cari-yinj^  the  j^nu  in  his  j:iws.  Dut  this 
coidd  not  he  peiinitted  :  three  or  four  shots  wenj  fired 
at  him;  Jiiid   lhoii;r|i   tl.'e  enra;^<d   animal   char;j:(!il   fnri- 


oii'ly  at  each  shot  a;iamst  tht    narrow  opennj 


t  th 


d.ak 


nil 


tlie  strong;  posts  in  his  wi'ath,  he  linally  ^ank  down,  jnst 
IS  the  alarmed  mate  appeared,  stalkin;^  with  the  nsiial 
ihamhliii;;  hut  swift  step  from  tht;  woods,  .shakin;jj  its 
h  v^r  hody  to  and  fro,  as  it  ra|)id!y  made;  up  to  the  f)ros- 
trate  l)ody  of  its  cornj)anion.  Then  ntterin;^  the  single 
low,  deep  jjiowl,  so  dreadt.'d  hy  the  hunter,  it  tarnol  its 
glaring  eye  on  the  heads  which  regarded  it  from  tluj 
openiiij:,  and  in  i?  moment  v  as  close  to  it  ;  the  men  re- 
treating in  such  ha>te  that  they  fell  over  each  other  in 
a  heap;  and  if  the  beast  could  have  forced  i  enormous 
body  through  the  narrow  a  'rliire.  many  must  have 
fallen  victims  to  its  li.M'ocitv. 

"A  pretty  set  of  poltroot)-     lie  beast  will  take  us  for,** 


said    Harold,   risiiin  froni 


ground    hastily 


H 


as 


Hiiyb:»ly  a  loaded  gun,  uii'  a  sound  right  iiand,  which 
unluckily  I  hav(!  not  ?  T*  at's  ri{»ht,  Mike,  my  boy  ! 
(Jive  the  bold  brute  a  hii  i  that  w.'  don't  like  intrudt.'rs. 
Sharp!  it's  going  to  turn  away  !  " 

IJut  Mike's  ball  had  firs'  enten-d  its  breast,  and  as  it 
turned.  Mr.  Hodiiey  fired  anotlier  ball  into  its  shoulder 
Infuriated  by  pa'n,  it  flung  its  immense  form  with  such 

23* 


'■( 


y^k' 


it 


Hi 


1       , 


■Im 


.♦*! 


'270 


Till-:  UKAK-iii  N  ri;i{S 


violcncr  M^JiMiii-t  oiic  of  llic  stout    Ui<r  donr-jUMts,  lli.it    il 
Uiis    toiii    lip,  iiiid   Icll  iinvjinls,   Icavin;;  Ji    wid/- 


s|>ucr, 

wh'u'li  ihc  licMT  jmaiii  liiiiicd  to  lake  ;idviiiita;ir  «»!'.  Al- 
ready li.'iir  its  liodv  was  uilhiii  llw  liiil  ;  ulrradv,  uilli 
oiii'  blow  (►('  its  licaxv,  .sliaiji-clawctl  |ia\v,  it  had  dnnol- 
islu'd  (l\('  Icallu'i'  |i(ii'linanli'aii  ol  1  laiold,  and  >('ulti'i'rd 
tlic  ( oiitciits,  wlici)  llai'old,  scciii;^  that  tlir  iiiH'.\|)C(-li  <1 
|M  ril  had  paralv/t'd  all  the  ht  si  hands,  and  lor^Plliiij^ 
his  own  woiindfd  hand,  snatched  a  rifle  iVoni  the  trem- 
bling ;^<'as|)  oi'  John,  an<l  iired  into  the  head  of  the  hear, 
whieh  Itll  inunediatelj.  'Then  tlie  men,  reeoNeiing 
their  elieruv,  >|iet'ddv  de>|ialehed   it. 

r>ul  llai«>ld  had  no  >ooner  made  the  nnlil  exertion 
than  he  i'ainled  with  the  an!^ui>h  ot  hi>  deep,  hleedin<<; 
woinid.  Mr.  l\ndiie\  luiiud  to  him  in  y,i('at  di>lie>s, 
and  hy  the  ajipliialion  ol  pid|)ei'  renmdie.s  I'evived  him, 
«nd,  aided  hy  the  niii»  h-alleeied  l>o}.-,  Nvasln'd  the 
woiiixls,  poured  m  htandy,  and  bound  ihein  up.  Then 
he  jire\aiied  on  llaiold  lo  swallow  a  >p(»onlul  ol  lh«! 
brand\,  and  while  ihe  luaxe  \outh  made  liiiht  ol"  his 
sntlerin;^,  and  lau;.:lied  at  lii>  lamiinij;  like  a  ladj,  Dirk 
and  John  had  skinned  the  lui;^e  Ixa-ts. 

They  Ibund  l!  en\  to  mea>iii'e  more  ihan  eiuht  feel  in 
length,  the  lii_Li!iitnl  paw,  whieii  had  done  surh  execii- 
lion,  being  at  hast  eighteen  mehes  haig,  and  the  sirup 
daws  IJNc  ini'hes.  No  \\onii(*r  llie  viealni't,'  was  power- 
I'ul.  The  thiek  hides,  eoxcred  with  long,  gray  lur, 
were  spread  to  ilry,  but  no  one,  exeepl  Captain  ISiauton, 
antii'i[)ali'd  the  po>sibiliiy  of  t-arrying  lh«'ni  away,  now 
that  the  .-^tud  wa.^  n-duei-d  to  live. 

"  liy  the  by,  Ji>hn,"  said  Harold,  when  broad  day- 
light enabled  llu'ui  to  look  romid,  '*  it  is  time  Ibi*  yi>M  to 
UH)k  alter  the  horses.     These  bears  were  doubtless  at- 


OK    TMK    HOCKY    .MUlINTAINM. 


271 


I'covcniig 


tr/n*(o(l  liillicr  hy  scenting  llicin  ;  I  rarncstl)'  liopc  llicy 
ai«'  s)^f(^ 

It  \v!i>  willi  fi  rncfnl  connlt-nMnct'  .lolm  ictiiincd  fioin 
Ins  n)is-.ion.  Not  a  lioi-c,  was  l<  I'l  livin;r;  l\v'»  liii<l  «'n- 
tii'cly  (li»a|>|K'ar«'(l ;  dnnlttlcss  canii'd  oil' l)y  the  licurs  or 
wolves;  the  le.^t  lay  struck  down  dead,  at  oiiee,  l»y  lli« 
|»ow<  rCnl  and  |»ieicin<if  stroke  ol"  the  liercc;  animals,  and 
were  now  stifV  and  cold. 

"  INIike  and  I  Iiad  the  Ijrsf  watch,"  said  IMr.  Rodrwy, 
"and  I  plead  guilty  of  sh-cpin;^  at  my  |io-t;  hut  I  have 
a  dreamy  recollection  ol*  Mike  sayin"!^  drow-ily,  —  '  Snre, 
ain't    the  hasies  uneasy  ;  can't  they  he  takin'  their  slape 

1<  M 
low. 

Will  and  ilohn  allowed  ||i;it  thi'y  li;id  al-o  heard  sorm; 

Kounds  ;   hiit    they  had  I'eally  looked  lonnd,  thoh;;h   they 


had 


n(!ver  thonirht  < 


the,  I 


lorse 


"  Aiid  the  beast  -Mid  have  f'elchcd  rnoncv,"  ex- 
claimed Sernton,  re;iretlhlly,  "  il"  we  could  li;i\e  carried 
thenj  safely  into  harlxtr,  \N  •■  may  look  on  it  as  a  d'-ad 
loss  of  cai)ital !  li(^-idcs  that,  iliere  will  he  the  lime  w« 
nujst  now  necessarily  occupy  in  our  lon;^  triji. 
vexntious  and  cul]»al)I(;  thing." 


It 


is  a 


tl 


'he  poor  women    looked   agha-t  at    ihe   prospect,  and 


le  old 


•chool-mast 


er,  as  u.-«uai,  resi<rned   hims( 


df 


to  a 


sort  of  (juiet  despair 


All 


men    are    unw 


is(;,  ISIr.  Rodney,"  sighed  he; 
"that's  what  they've  been,  as  the  Scripture  of;Mke)i  f4'  4^ 
from  the  heginning;  harrin'  Solomon  b»ir.»'e|f,  nt^  M 
not  being  without  his  faults  and  backsliding-,  l^^W  i^'  *t 
spoken  ;  and  an  illigant  scholar  he  was  sure  J  ^i"*.  X'tl 
see,  Mr.  Rodney,  it's  not  illigant  .«!cholarsbip  tbnf  ^ave* 
us  from  our  throuble  at  all.     Didn't  he  set  that  d/Hrj 


M\ 


Ik  Hi 


I  < 


:l  1    T^** 


1 


!  i  '. 


^■l 


:i;  j:  ]i 


m^ 


272 


THE  beak-uunti:r3 


himself,  —  'lie  that  increa,«eth  knowledpie  increascth 
sorrow;*  mihI  isn't  tiiat  tlie  truth,  oi'lione!" 

"  lint  we  hav»i  a  [)ui{!r  knowh.Hlj:e,  and  brighter  hopes 
than  Solomon  had,  my  good  man,"  said  Mr.  Rodney, 
"  therefore  be  of  good  hrart.  God  has  provided  a 
certain  rest  for  his  own  people." 

"  Never  say  die,  old  chap,"  t^aid  Dick  ;  "  we'll  give 
yon  a  lift  in  a  bear-skin  ;  we've  some  able  hands  among 
us  yet." 

"  I5ut  here  is  one  disabled,"  said  Mr.  R(»dney  ;  *'  there- 
fore it  will  be  necessary,  Captain  Scruton,  that  we 
should  remain  here  a  few  days,  till  Mr.  Croflun's  wound 
be  healed;  and  if  our  ingenious  men  can  make  that 
entrance  more  secure,  I  think  we  cannot  d(>  better  than 
make  the  hut  our  quarters  ;  an<l  I  will  engage  to  keep 
my  eyes  oi)en  when  I  am  aj)i)oiMted  to  mount   guard 


agani. 


"  Rely  on  me,  gentlemen,  since  we  must  be  detained," 
said  Scruton,  "to  take  care  that  the  watch  be  j)roperly 
kept  for  the  future.  It  is  a  mockery  for  a  nnui  to 
accept  a  duty  which  he  does  not  seru|)ul()usly  fulfil.  I 
beg  your  pardon,  Mv.  Rodney,  but  I  am  a  discipli- 
narian." 

Mr.  Rodney  was  not  sure  that  the  stern  captain  was 
not  about  to  order  him  to  be  ma:.t-liead<'d  ;  but  at  this 
moment  Arncliflfe  said,  "  I'm  hardly  easy  about  this 
station,  IMr.  Rodney.  You  see,  one  would  like  to  be 
sure  what  came  on  the  trapper  that  raised  this  Imt. 
This  is  a  bad  country  to  sit  down  in  ;  it's  safest  to  keep 
moving;  and  that's  what  I'd  like  us  to  be  about;  but, 
uidncky  as  I  always  am,  here  I  may  lie  1  can  never 
trail  on  without  help  " 


OF    TIIK    ROCKT    MOrNTAINS. 


273 


A  .<eiisatioii  of  uiU'asiiiess  iiervadcil  the  pjirty  ;  the 
^uiis  were  loiulc*!,  ami  placed  in  readiiie-s ;  and  as  soon 
as  llie  unwieldy  carcases  of  llie  hears,  ciicli  rc(jiiiring 
three  men  to  move  it,  were  draj;;i<'d  to  a  safe  (li>tance, 
llicy  all  withdrew  into  the  hut,  determining  to  keep  a 
strict  guard. 

*'  Rut  where  would  ye  he  sendin'  the  gossoon  then?" 
exdaiujed  Peggy.  "  Sure  isn't  he  nilssin'  and  inayh« 
some  of  them  same  hig  hastes  aten  him  up  at  this  time, 
and  )ou,  Mike,  niver  heeding  at  all,  ochone  I  " 


274 


TOK    HKAR-IIUNTKRS 


m 


'.k. . 


'!1 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


!  I- 


*^jr 


:< 


The  VN'hite  Dove.  —  The  Wurninp.  —  Mjikiiif;  a  Cuhe.  —  The  Sieg* 
—  Terms  if  Cupilulatioii.  —  Tlie  Tents  oCtlic  IndiiiiiH  — Mrs.  Avon« 
dale's  SI  )ry.  —  The   Kocky  Muuutuins  uiul   the   i'ruiries.  —  Th« 
Iiiiliun  M  ifisacre. 

It  was  plain  tliat  Pat,  with  liin  usual  recklessness,  liad 
stolon  out  on  some  wild  expedition.  Mike  suggested 
birdiiestiiig  ;  and  with  some  anxiety  the  boys  projtosed 
to  set  out  to  seek  him.  First,  however,  Mike  walking 
up  close  to  the  wood,  gave  the  shrill  whittle  whicli  they 
genei'ally  used  to  call  up  the  sliagglers  to  the  camp; 
and  at  that  moment  the  deliiKpient  appeared  walking 
coolly  round  a  turn  below  the  wo<m1,  not  as  thi^y  ex- 
pected, alone,  but  accotnpanied  by  a  strange  ligure,  a 
child  of  about  his  own  heigiit,  dressed  in  u  short  tunic 
of  j)rei)ared  white  deer-skin,  embroidered  with  the 
delicate  quills  of  the  porcupine,  and  confined  round  her 
waist  with  a  silken  girdle  of  European  fabric  ;  her  arms 
were  bare,  ornamented  with  bracelets  of  colored  beads; 
she  wore  pretty  white  moccasins  on  her  feet,  and  a  taste- 
ful head-dress  of  white  feathers.  As  she  drew  near  to 
them,  the  boys  saw  that  her  complexion  was  light, 
though  tanned  by  the  sun,  and  her  hair  of  a  beautiful 
yellow  hue,  fancifully  plaited  in  long  tresses.  She 
carried  in  her  hand  a  light  bow,  and  a  quiver,  em- 
broidered like  her  dress,  hung  over  her  shoulder. 

All  the  party  came  to  the  entrance  of  the  hut  to 
me^t  the  two  children.     "  The  uiducky  lad  has  come  ou 


OF     niK    KOCKY     .•NKU-NTAIN.'S. 


27« 


Rii    Iritliaii   ciiinp,''  said    Mr.    Rodney.     "  W«.'  ran  only 
liope  lliey  may  hv  pcat'rtiil." 

Tlu'  {^irl,  with  luMfV-i't  case  and  solf-coininand,  pre- 
(•(■diii;4  the  l)()}'s,  stcppt'ti  iiiio  tlie  hut,  and  then  turntMl 
round  to  ga/e  with  curio>ity  and  interest  on  the  inhabit 
tanls. 

"  What  i.-i  your  name,  younj;  maiden,  ami  why  do  you 
conu'  here?"  saitl  Mr.  Uo(hi«'y,  in  hi,>  IniUan  tlialect. 

"The  chief  ami  the  warriors  say  I  am  th(!  Whito 
Dove,"  ar-^wered  the  child  with  divinity;  '' hiil  my 
mother  sa\  -  my  name  is  Kllen  Avondah'." 

'•  She  is  an  English  child,"  exclaimed  Ilandd,  sjtring- 
ing  up  from  his  bear-skin,  and,  turning  to  the  intere>t* 
ing  child,  he  said,  in  English,  ''  Where  is  your  motlur? 
Why  docs  she  not  come  to  us 
dns-ed  like     n  Indian  ?  " 


an( 


1    wli 


}' 


are 


r'OU 


You  speak   lik(!  dear  rnanima  now,"  crieil    the  de- 


lighted   child    recovering    the    En}:li-h    feeling 


as 


Mho 


spoke  in   her   iiativi;  language;    and     hrowing  oil'   her 
Indian  formality,  she  danced,  and    clapped    her  hands 


wi 


(hpl 


leasure 


You  come  from  manmui's  home.     I  low 


much  I  love  you  all!  you  are  all  my  brothers!  You 
will  take  mamma  and  me  away  in  the  winge(l-house 
that  flies  over  the  wat-  r,  far  awav  I'rom  the  bears  and 
tin  wolves,  to  those  summer  grounds  wIkm'c  the  Howcrs 
smt  11  sweet,  an<l  the  birds  make  mu>ic,  and  the  |)eople 
love  each  otln^r  be  au.>e  they  love  God.  There  they 
don't  wear  bloody  scalps  ;  they  don't  burn  their 
prisorers:  that  is  sin."  The  child  spoke  the  last  words 
in  a  low  tone,  looking  fearfully  round. 


(( 


Whe're  is  your  mannna.  you  dear  little  cieature 


said   Harold.     "  Let   her  come   immciliately,  you    shall 
both  remain  with  ub." 


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THE    UKAR-HUNTKR3 


*•  Dear  mamma  !  "  exclaimed  the  child  in  a  tone  of 
Badness.  "  My  brother,  she  lies,  like  you,  on  the  bear- 
■jkins ;  she  is  very  sad ;  she  weeps,  altiioiigli  God  has 
called  her  to  come  to  Him  and  be  haijpy.  81»e  is  sad, 
because  she  must  not  take  me  with  her,  because  I  uiusi 
stay  till  God  wants  me ;  she  weeps  to  leave  me  alone 
with  the  people  who  are  not  the  children  of  God.  Tlie 
warriors  love  not  the  j)ale-i'aces ;  they  have  heard  many 
guns,  and  they  say,  '  These  are  the  guns  of  the  pale- 
faces ;  they  are  trappers,  they  are  thieves ;  they  come 
to  drive  away  the  buffaloes  and  the  deer;  we  will  come 
quietly  on  their  lodges  when  the  sun  sleeps,  and  burn 
them.'  The  White  Dove  heard  the  words,  and  came 
to  see  her  pale  brothers,  and  tell  them  to  flee  into  the 
woods,  and  hide,  that  they  may  not  be  burnt ' 

Flee  to  the  woods!  that  was  a  vain  hope;  the  strong 
and  active  might,  by  a  hap[)y  fortune,  escape,  but  what 
must  become  of  the  infirm  and  weak?  Terror  filled  the 
hearts  of  the  bravest.  The  piospect  of  death  to  the 
healthy  is  ever  awful  ;  but  a  death  deserved  and  wan- 
tonly inflicted,  a  death  of  torture,  was  truly  horrible. 

"  We  must  never  strike  our  colors  without  firinfj  a 
gun,  Mr.  Rodney,"  said  Captain  Scruton ;  "  it  is  un- 
British,  —  it  is  a  cowardly  act  to  die  ingloriously." 

''  Of  course.  Captain  Scruton,"  said  Harold,  "  we 
must  fight  the  rogues;"  then  looking  at  hi-  wounded 
hand,  he  groaned  as  lie  added,  "  What  fools  we  are  to 
be  the  slaves  of  habit,  and  train  only  one  hand  to  be 
useful,  when  God  has  given  us  two.  I  don't  believe 
1  could  deal  a  left-handed  blow  with  my  ktiife  to  any 
^.ffect." 

"  The  child   must  be  kept  as  a  hostage,"  said  Am 
chffe.     "  I  judge,  from    her  decorations,  that   s)ie  is  a 


OF    THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


277 


favorite  of  the  tribe,  and  tliis  may  be  tlie  rncanA  ^f  our 
prociirinfi  better  terms." 

"If  Captain  Scruton  insists  on  our  lioldinj;  out," 
said  Rodney,  ''  we  may  y)Os>ibly  defend  ourselves  for  a 
short  time ;  hut  tlie  result  must  inevitably  be  cap- 
tivity or  death.  It  is  pretty  certain  that  these  Indiana 
must  ji^reatly  outnumber  us ;  don't  you  think  so,  Arn- 
cliffl?" 

*'  I  know  of  no  permanent  villafj^e  of  the  Sioux  near 
this  part.''  answered  he.  ''It  is  most  likoly  tliey  will  be 
encamped  here  on  a  hunting  expedition.  I  should  think 
the  girl  might  tell  something." 

But  the  child  was  unaccustomed  to  much  question- 
ing in  English,  and  did  not  easily  comprehend  their 
inquiries  ;  she  seemed  at  a  loss  to  compute  the  number 
of  Indians  or  of  lodges,  and  merely  answered,  "  many ! 
many ! " 

"  The  white  man's  lodge  is  not  useful,"  continued 
she  ;  "  the  women  cannot  carry  it  away  when  they  seek 
new  grounds.  The  red  man's  lodge  is  very  pretty  ;  it 
is  not  of  ugly  wood, —  it  is  of  buffalo-skins  ;  upon  it  all 
his  victories  are  shown.  On  the  lodge  is  the  fight  with 
the  grizzly  bear  ;  the  fight  with  the  Pawnees  ;  the  defKl 
lying  scalped ;  the  poor  prisoners  tied  to  the  tree,  while 
the  cruel  women  cut  and  burn  them.  When  the  White 
Dove  looks  on  the  lodge,  the  tears  come.  My  white 
brothers  shall  not  be  cut  or  burnt ;  mamma  will  say  to 
the  Gray  Wolf,  '  The  Great  Spirit  says  He  will  make 
you  die  if  you  kill  my  people.'  Tiien  he  will  make  you 
his  slaves  ;  but  do  not  let  your  hearts  be  small ;  your 
sister  Ellen  will  help  you  to  bring  the  water,  and  cook 
the  buffalo-meat." 

Tears  flowed  from  the  eyes  of  the  child  as  she  spoke 

24 


.  I 


t  I     nil 

#t       III!" 


; .'! 


278 


TIIK    BKAK-nUNTF^RS 


of  ll/e  clieerless  alt(M*n!itiv(3  of  slavery,  and  (hey  looktd 
at  each  othe»"  with  painful  indecision.  The  young  and 
active  would  not  have  hesitated  to  take  to  flight  im- 
mediately, hut  they  turned  to  tlie  old  man,  the  infirm 
Arncliffe,  and  the  weak  women,  and  felt  that  such  a 
proceeding  was  impossible,  lie.sidcs,  Harold  was  fever- 
ish and  prostrated  with  his  wounds  ;  he  certainly  could 
not  have  walked  far,  and  now,  unhappily,  all  must 
walk. 

"  If  we  are  captured,"  said  Scruton,  "  we  shall  cer- 
tainly be  pillaged.  I  will,  at  any  rate,  conceal  my 
property.  Then,  if  we  should  be  so  fortunate  as  to 
escape,  I  may  reclaim  it.  Marlin,  bring  a  spade  ;  let 
us  bury  all  we  can." 

"  Truly,"  said  Mr.  Rodney,  "  it  is  no  bad  precau- 
tion. I  have  myself  papers  and  property  T  should  be 
unwilling  to  lose  ;  though,  God  knows,  I  may  never 
want  them.  But  if  one  only  of  the  party  here  assem- 
Oled  be  fortunate  enough  to  survive,  he  may  recover 
tlie  property.     Let  us  each  make  a  cached 

They  were  soon  all  employed  ;  Ellen  looked  with 
mterest  at  their  occupation,  the  purport  of  which 
she  seemed  to  comprehend  perfectly,  and  when  Mr. 
Rodney  requested  it,  she  promised  to  be  silent  on  the 
Bubject.  "  Ellen  knows  a  safe  hiding-place,"  said  she, 
"  but  she  has  promised  not  to  speak.  She  may  not 
show  it  to  her  white  brothers,  till  her  mamma  gives  her 
permission." 

The  portmanteau  containing  the  books,  papers,  and 
valuables  of  Mr.  Rodney  and  Harold,  and  a  large  part 
of  their  clothes,  was  consigned  to  the  earth  in  a  deep 
hole  dug  beneath  the  huge  log  which  served  for  the 
table^  which  was   removed  for  the  purpose,  and   then 


OF    THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


279 


rep'actd.  Tlie  caihe  of  Captain  Soruton,  of  greater 
extent,  was  made  beneath  the  bed.  No  one  el>c  had 
proj)erty  worth  concealing.  Two  of  the  rifles  yet 
remaining  of  the  stoek  Harold  had  broiight  out,  and 
which  were  really  not  needed,  were  also  iiidden,  along 
with  a  good  supply  of  ammunition. 

The  remainder  of  the  guns  would  be  needed  if  they 
were  driven  to  hostilities,  and  even  if  they  were  igno- 
miniously  captured,  it  was  prudent  to  leave  them  ii) 
sight,  for  the  Indians,  having  heard  the  report  of  the 
fire-arms,  would  not  have  rested  till  they  found  them. 

They  had  scarcely  concluded  their  melancholy  task, 
when  a  trampling  and  whooping  announced  the  ap- 
proach of  the  warriors,  whom  tliey  had  not  expected 
before  nighc,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  hut  was  sur- 
rounded by  a  band  of  mounted  Indians,  armed  with 
hmces,  muskets,  and  knives,  presenting  such  a  formida- 
ble appearance,  that  the  small  body  of  Euroj)eans  at 
once  abandoned  all  idea  of  op[)ositior  ;  and  Mr.  Rodney, 
holding  a  white  handkerchief  attached  to  the  end  of  a 
pole,  as  a  banner  of  protection,  issu'.d  from  the  hut,  and 
with  a  bold  front,  but  a  sinking  heart,  walked  up  to  the 
man  he  concluded  to  be  the  chief. 

This  man  was  distinguished  from  the  rest  by  wearing 
a  handsome  white  deer-skin  cloak,  fringed  with  j)orcu- 
pine  quills,  which  was  thrown  gracefully  over  his  tall 
form,  while  his  long  black  hair  was  rolled  round  his 
head  in  the  form  of  an  Eastern  turban. 

In  the  best  words  he  could  recall,  Mr.  liodney 
requested  the  forbearance  and  the  friendshi[)  of  the 
noble  warriors  towards  a  party  of  harmless  travellers, 
among  whom  were  aged  and  sick  men,  and  feeble 
women,  and   who  desired   nothing  more   than   to   pasi* 


i;''i'i 


280 


THK    BKAU-IIUXTKRS 


I  lilt 


i'> 


uninolt'sled  tlu-ongh  the  country  to  the  tiading  ports  of 
tlieir  pahi  brothers,  who  were  known  to  the  red  men, 
and  who  would  Hbendly  return  the  ben*. '.its  tliat  liad 
beer,  bestowed  on  tlieir  people. 

''The  pale-faces  speak  great  words,"  said  the  chi.  <'', 
"They  say  to  the  red  men,  '  Bury  the  liatciiet  ;  are  not 
we  your  brothers?'  they  drive  the  buffalo  and  the  deer 
from  our  hunting-grounds  ;  they  drive  llie  red  man  from 
the  burying-place  of  his  fatheis  ;  they  raise  tlieir  own 
lodges  over  the  graves ;  they  are  liars.  Tiie  Gray 
Wolf  must  have  the  guns  which  have  destroyed  his 
game ;  he  will  give  the  strong  men  to  the  scjuaws ;  they 
want  slaves  ;  he  will  slay  the  old  and  the  feeble  on 
the  graves  of  his  fathers.     The  Gray  Wolf  has  spoken." 

"  We  will  not  have  our  aged  and  feeble  slain,"  said 
Harold.  "  We  have  with  us  a  weak  child  from  the 
lodges  of  our  red  brethren,  whom  we  found  in  the 
woods ;  we  take  her  to  our  lodge ;  we  love  her ;  we  do 
not  wish  to  kill  her,  or  make  her  a  slave.  See,  she  is 
with  me  ;  she  must  stay  with  us ;  we  will  not  restore 
her  till  the  Gray  AVolf  says,  in  the  words  of  truth,  '  I 
will  also  spare  the  weak  people  of  my  pale  brothers.' " 

Harold  had  exerted  himself  to  come  forward  in  this 
emergency,  and  he  now  stood  in  the  doorway,  holding 
the  pretty  girl  by  the  hand,  who  called  out  in  her  Indian 
tongue, 

"  The  Gray  Wolf  shall  not  scalp  the  pale  brothers  of 
his  White  Dove.  She  will  take  them  to  her  lodge  and 
give  them  meat.  They  are  very  good  ;  they  are  the 
friends  of  the  Great  Spirit." 

«  The  White  Dove  speaks  well,"  said  tb  i  chief.  "  The 
Gray  Wolf  listens  to  her  woi-ds ;  he  loves  her ;  she  is 
bis  daughter.      He  will  not  slay  the  pale-faces ;   the.) 


1  .  '::.!! 


OF    THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


281 


shall  be  his  servants.  But  they  must  pjive  the  gun.^  and 
the  powder ;  then  my  bi'U'ves  siiall  b'ad  them  to  the 
lodjres  of  my  people." 

When  tiiis  proposal  was  made  known  to  Captain 
Scruton,  he  was  very  indignant,  especially  when  he  was 
told  tliev  all  must  agree  to  it. 

"  I  protest  against  sueh  a  shameful  surrender,"  said 
he.  "  You  are  excusable,  INIr.  Rodney,  for  you  are  a 
man  of  peace  ;  but  T  have  never  been  i  nistomed  to 
strike  in  this  cowardly  manner.  I  nuist  ^ter  on  my 
log  tliis  scandal  on  my  country." 

Captain  Scruton  was  angry  and  unreasonable  ;  but 
there  was  no  time  for  discussion.  The  chief  signified  to 
his  disappointed  followers  that  no  blood  was  to  be  sj)ilt, 
and  they  sullenly  permitted  the  sad  procession  of  pris- 
oners to  pass  on,  guarded  on  each  side,  and  headed  by 
the  chief,  with  Ellen  by  his  side,  mounted  on  the  horse 
af  one  of  the  warriors,  which  she  rode  with  the  grace  of 
a  trained  equestrian. 

Winding  round  to  the  north  of  the  mountain,  and  for- 
ward through  a  rich,  wooded  prairie,  they  had  pi'oceeded 
about  half  a  mile,  when,  passing  through  a  grove  of 
trees,  they  came  on  the  secluded  neat  lodges  or  tents  of 
the  Indians,  aho  (  forty  or  fifty  in  number.  They  were 
covered  with  dressed  buffalo  skins,  supported  on  tall 
posts  ;  that  of  the  chief  being  distinguished  by  Its  size, 
and  by  its  being  ornamented  with  banners  and  plumes, 
and  painted  over  with  rude  designs,  intended  to  illus- 
trate the  exploits  of  the  ''  Gray  Wolf"  in  hunting  and 
in  war. 

A  large  enclosure  or  corral,  on  one  side,  contained  a 
number  of  wild-lojking  horses;  elevated  on  short  posts 
were  the  ekins  of  beai"s,  ell  <,  and  buf^iloes,  stretchttd  tc 


i: 


282 


THK    HKAU-lIUNTKItS 


dry;  wliilc on  iIm;  gioimd  wcrc^  strcwcci  bows,  qui >  rs, 
shieKls  and  Ijiiiccs.  'I'lic  women,  ilcctMilly  aii'aytnl  in 
loose  rolx's  of  d.esscd  skins,  were  busily  cniploycd,  .-^otne 
in  scrapin^j;  jind  (b«'s>in;;  ski. is,  sonw;  in  cutting;  up  or 
cooking  meat  in  large  iion  kel lies,  susp<'nde(l  from  thrcts 
posts,  gipsy-l'a^bion,  over  bnge  llres ;  and  some  nursing 
or  watching  ibe  children,  who  were  eitlier  s.owed  in 
bags  or  (;radles,  Imng  round  (h(!  necks  of  the  mothers, 
or  scrambling  about  naked  on  the  soft  turf.  All  was 
noise  and  occupaliop  till  the  [)rocessi()n  of  prisoners  ap- 
peared ;  then  all  work  was  suspended;  astonishment 
rendered  them  motioidess  and  silent. 

"See,  brother  Harold,"  said  the  little  Kllen,  riding 
up  to  him,  and  pointing  out  a  huge  tent  which  stood  be- 
hind, and  at  some  distai.ee  apart  from  the  rest,  "thiit  is 
mamma's  lodge.  She  is  the  medicine-woman.  The 
Gray  Wolf  himself  obeys  her.  J  will  say  to  her  that 
her  white  brothers  have  come  to  take  her  away;  then 
slie  will  call  them  to  her." 

The  child  rode  forward  to  the  solitary  tent,  while  tho 
chief  showed  his  prisoners  a  heap  of  dried  skins,  and 
said  they  must  raise  lodges  ibr  themselves,  and  rcsmain 
in  them  till  they  were  called  to  work.  Very  willingly 
such  of  the  men  as  wei-e  fit  for  work  set  about  it. 
They  soon  constructed  two  \Qn{-t>,  to  the  great  achnira- 
tion  of  the  Indian  women,  who  stood  round  to  watch 
them,  evidently  expecting  that  no  pale-face  could  raise 
a  lodge  like  those  of  the  red  men.  Dick  had  prudently 
placed  his  tool-chest  in  the  cac//e  ;  but  he  had  hammer 
and  nails  in  his  pockets,  and  an  axe  in  his  belt,  and 
with  these  appliances  he  rigged  out,  in  his  own  lan- 
guage, a  taught  tent,  into  which  they  conveyed  Harold, 
«uw  in  great   pain,   Arncliffe,   and   the  old   man.      A 


lio 
md 
iiin 

;iy 

it, 
Ira- 
Itch 
lise 

|tly 

ind 
Hn- 
>ld, 
A 


OF    TIIK,    ROCKY    MOLNTA.NS. 


288 


pmallcr  tent  Joliii   jind   ^VilIii^ll    liad    fiiiislicd   for  tli« 
women. 

"  Miisha  !  inuslia!  INIr.  Rodney,  yei  lionner,"  cried 
PejjTjiy ;  "  sure,  when;  will  llw;  <;ossoon  be  ij^oiu;  n^in  ? 
nnd  m<;  nivcr  scttiii'  eyes  on  liini,  sin'  w  j  loft  yon  sanio 
unlucky  cabin,  and  niver  tliinkin'  to  bo  lookin'  btdiind 
ine,  inoro's  the  pity  for  nie,  oelione  !  " 

"  Have  no  fears  fbi-  tbc  lad,  Peiiiiy,"  ""aid  Mr.  Rod- 
ney ;  '*  li(!  can  lake;  care  of  himself.  This  is  oidy  one 
of  his  old  pranks.  He  will  find  us  when  he  is  tircid  or 
hunjjjry  ;  or  jx'rhaps  his  little  Indian  friend  1  .m  carried 
him  oIK" 

Sov)n  after  Pollen  entered  the  t<Mit  to  say  that  her 
nianuna  had  sent  her  to  ask  her  brothers  Harold  and 
Rodney  to  conui  to  her;  and  anxious  to  solve  the.  mys- 
tery of  the  ap|»earancc  of  l<jn<;lishw<)men  amon;^  these 
savages,  the  frijMids  followed  the  li;j;ht  steps  of  the  child 
to  the  solitary  tent.  When  they  entered  it,  they  >^'*\y  at 
once,  by  the  order  and  neatness  of  the  int<'rior,  that  it 
was  the  residence  of  civilized  beinj;;s.  A  woven  mat 
covered  tlie  jTromid  ;  on  one  side  was  a  bed-frame,  cov- 
ered witli  a  mattress,  on  which  lay  the  emaciated  form 
)f  a  fair  and  lovelv  woman,  still  voun«]j,  whose  six-akiuf; 
countenanoi  announced  an  intelli^jent  and  cidtivated 
mind.  Her  dress  was  that  of  an  ICnjilishwoman,  and 
her  languafije,  simple  and  ladylike,  did  not,  like  that  of 
the  child,  fall  into  the  Indian  idiom. 

"  God's  name  be  praised,"  said  she  faintly,  with  tears 
in  her  eyes,  "  that  I  am,  before  I  am  summoned  to 
appear  before  Him,  once  more  blessed  witli  the  sight 
of  Christians,  however  I  may  grievc  rhat  misfortune 
has  thr(wn  them  into  the  power  of  lieathens  and  mer« 


iff*  ■  I- 


u 


284 


TllK    BKAH-in;NTi:US 


ciless  tyrants.  Tell  nie,  my  countrymen,  who  are  you, 
whom  God  has  sent  to  elose  the  eyes  of  an  unfortunate 
caj)live  ?  " 

JNlr.  llodney  j^ave  her  the  names  of  his  companion 
and  himself,  briefly  narrated  the  circumstances  that  had 
led  them  into  captivity,  and  anxiously  in(iuired  if  ihe 
was  also  a  prisoner. 

"Ten  miserable  years  of  my  life,"  answered  she, 
"  have  been  spent,  I  fear,  unprolilably,  in  the  tents  of 
the  ungodly,  of  the  savages  who  murdered  my  husband 
before  my  aye^.  liut  my  time  on  earth  is  short ;  let 
me  hasten  to  tell  you  my  sad  tale  before  my  powers  fail 
me. 

*'  The  younger  brother  of  a  poor  but  proud  family, 
my  husband  married  me,  as  poor  as  himself,  when  we 
were  both  young,  i'^ngland  offered  no  means  of  sub- 
sistence for  us  which  the  haughty  Avondales  would  al- 
low my  husband  to  accept ;  but  in  the  remote  regions  of 
America,  the  disgrace  of  earning  his  own  living  might 
be  hidden,  and  my  Alexander  was  sent  out  to  a  trading 
station  on  the  Columbia,  where,  amidst  many  hardships, 
and  banished  from  the  blessings  of  social  life,  we  passed 
some  years.  There  I  buried  two  babes,  there  my  Ellen 
was  born,  and,  as  we  had  then  become  more  inured  to 
the  climate,  we  hoped  we  might  be  permitted  to  rear 
her»  But  when  she  had  reached  the  age  of  two  years, 
pleasant  letters  arrived  to  recall  us  to  our  native  land; 
a  distant  relation  had  bequeathed  to  my  husband  a  hand- 
some estate,  and  in  joy  and  thankfulness  we  prepared 
to  leave  our  solitary  and  cheerless  abode. 

"  It  was  not  the  season  for  any  vessel  sailing  to  Eng' 
land ;  besides,  I  had,  unfortunately,  a  great  horror  of 


g' 
)f 


or    TIIK    ROCKY    MOINTAINS. 


285 


such  n  Ifprrihonod  spfi-voyajjo  ;  and  wr  tlnTctoro  set  out 
with  luules  aiwl  wag^ous,  accompatiicd  by  three  luniters 
and  two  servants,  to  cross  the  Kocky  Mountains,  and 
thence  over  the  prairies,  to  j)roee(d  lo  the  United 
States. 

"We  happily  accoinj)lished  our  mountain  journey, 
and  had  made  some  weeks'  progress  over  the  prairies, 
when  my  husband  rcmaiked  tluit  our  hunters  led  us 
through  devious  and  tedious  way*,  fiud  learnt  that  it 
was  to  avoid  meeting  some  of  ihe  Indian  tribes,  with 
wiiom  they  had  previously  had  souk;  desperate  etu'oun- 
ters,  and  were  therefore  marked  men.  They  boasted 
of  the  mnnber  of  Indians  they  had  shot  down,  as  if 
they  wev(^  nund)ering  the  buffaloes  or  elks  they  had 
slain  ;  and  they  justly  dreaded  the  war  of  retaliation. 

"  Alexander  was  annoyed  and  alaruu'd  at  the  charac- 
ter  of  th' se  men,  and  would  willingly  have  dismissed 
them  ;  bu  they  were  necessary  to  us  to  shoot  game  for 
our  provision,  and  to  guide  us  ov(>r  the  wild  and  track- 
less prairies,  lie  pray  'd  them  to  be  cautious,  to  avoid 
provoking  the  already  exasperated  Indians,  and  to 
shoot  no  more  game  than  was  absolutel)^  required  for 
our  support.  For  the  men  had  previously  fil'  la  wag- 
gon with  skins,  and  continued  to  delay  us  till  they  shot 
the  animals,  and  prepared  the  hides.  Alas !  we  were 
at  their  mercy. 

"At  length,  one  never-to-be-forgotten  night,  as  we 
were  encamped,  I,  who  was  a. deep  with  my  child  in  my 
waggon,  was  awakened  by  the  sound  of  fire-arms  and 
horrible  yells  and  the  blaze  of  flaming  torches,  and 
looked  out  to  see  crowds  of  dark  savage  fi'j:ures  with 
hatchets  and  knives,  finishing  the  bloody  work  they  had 
begun.     I  saw  some  of  the  hunters  still  struij^liiig  with 


mi 


Il     » 


i<;i 


).• 


280 


Tin:  itiAU-MrNTius 


h 


the.  (no ;  I  sjiw  my  hrlovcd  lMis1>:in<l  fall  lu'iicafh  the 
Kliot  of  u  (all  Iiuliiin,  and  our  faillii'ul  servant  Janice 
bury  his  knifo  in  the  body  of  th(;  inunlorer  bcfoio  hf 
it'll  himself.  I  saw  no  more;  a  happy  insensibility  hid 
further  horrors  from  me/* 


or    TUK    KOCKT    MOUNTAINS. 


287 


Cri  AVTKR    XXV. 


Thf  Story  rMiimod.  —  Tlio  Oniifivify.  —  TIic  Mercy  of  tlic  (JhW.— 
The  Mcdicinc-witmiin  ami  Iht  rrivilfj^t-H.  —  I'hriH  of  Kncape. — 
Aiialirtd!  ill  l>ajipT.  —  'I'liu  Worth  of  a  Matili-box.  —  The  pn>- 
poHcd  Vciigiiauce. 

TllK  two  distressed  auditors  knelt  down  hy  tlio  mat- 
tress of  the  unfortunate,  Mrs.  AvondaUs  aiul  wept,  as 
tliey  j>rayed  tliat  God  would  still  fijive  licr  Htrcngth  to 
support  lier  s(»rrows.  "You  are  kind  men,"  slic  con- 
tiiuH'd,  '*  and  I  am  now  at  peace,  for  I  hear  a^^ain  the 
music  of  i>rayer,  and  I  shall  leave  my  child  with  Chris- 
tians. I>ul  for  the  tlioiij^ht  of  her,  1  never  could  have 
survived  tliat  ni;j;ht  of  horror. 

"When  my  senses  returned,  I  felt  tliat  th.j  waj^gon 
was  in  motion  ;  I  exerted  myself  with  diiriculty  to 
look  out;  the  dark  crowd  with  their  torches  were 
Ftill  round  me;  but  I  saw  no  familiar  face.  I  shrunk 
back,  pressing  my  unconscious  babe  in  my  arms ;  I 
prayed  to  God  that,  if  it  seem«'d  good  to  II im.  He 
would  call  us  both  to  Ilim  at  that  moment,  when  the 
contemj)lation  of  the  past  or  the  future  was  alike  ter- 
rible. Then  I  looked  on  my  child,  and  again  besought 
Him  to  spare  and  strengthen  me  for  her  sake  ;  and 
lie  heard  me.  I  felt  that  I  must  live  on  in  faith  and 
hope,  that  I  might  be  the  means  of  saving  the  soul  ol 
liiy  child. 

*^  Scarcely   conscious   of  the    flight   of  time,  I    saw. 


iib8 


THE    BEAR-IIUNTF.RS 


■|  i':!i 


at  length,  the  light  of  day  ;  still  no  one  opened  the 
curtains  oi*  the  waggon  ;  I  was  left  alone  in  my  gr(>at 
misery.  Then  I  remembered  that  we  might  yet  be 
rescued,  and  my  child  must  be  recognized  as  an  Avon- 
dale  ;  and  I  hastened  to  conceal  about  my  person  the 
portfolio  which  contained  valuable  papers  and  docu- 
ments belonging  to  my  husband,  which  might  be 
necessary  to  prove  tiie  identity  of  my  child.  I  put 
some  books  in  my  pocket,  and  then,  that  I  might  live 
for  her,  I  took,  with  a  sad  heart,  the  food  necessary  to 
support  my  sorrowful  existence. 

"  It  was  noon-day  before  the  waggon  stoj)ped.  I 
beard  the  confuoion  of  many  tongues  ;  but  though,  in 
3ur  residence  in  Columbia,  1  had  learnt  to  understand 
the  Indians  who  came  to  the  fort,  this  was  a  strange 
language,  and  I  regretted  it.  In  a  few  minuses  the 
curtain  before  the  waggon  was  withdrawn,  and  I  saw 
before  me  an  ageu  Indian  of  a  venerable  aspect,  with 
a  highly- ornamented  buH'alo  cloak  folded  round  him. 
When  he  looked  on  my  pale  and  heart-broken  coun- 
tenance, his  face  expressed  pity ;  he  spoke  to  me  in 
English,  saying,  '  Enter  our  lodges ;  the  Sioux  war 
not  with  women,  neither  with  the  unarmed  pale-face. 
The  greedy  trapper,  the  destroying  hunter  —  these  are 
the  foes  of  the  Sioux.' 

" '  My  husband  was  good,'  I  sobbed  out.  '  He 
loved  the  red  men,  he  was  no  hunter,  he  carried  no 
gun  ;  yet  he  was  murdered  by  your  people.' 

" '  It  was  not  well,'  said  he  compassionately.  *  But 
why  did  he  follow  the  path  of  the  base  and  bloody 
hunters?  My  people  said,  This  is  also  a  hunter,  and 
they  slew  him.  But  you  shall  be  our  daughter ;  your 
child  shall  become  the  wife  of  the  son  of  our  son.' 


OF    Tin:    ROCKY    MOUNTi  IX?. 


289 


"I  shuddered  at  this  prospect,  but  I  slirank  from 
the  horrors  of  an  Indian  execution  ;  1  was  thaidvf'ul 
to  live.  I  was  conducted  to  an  empty  win;\vain  ;  tiier. 
the  noble  chief  requested  me  to  j)oint  out  all  the  i)rop- 
erty  that  was  miiu?,  which  he  restored  to  uie.  My 
trunks,  and  all  tiiat  1  valued,  were  bioujijht  to  me; 
the  tribe  dividing  the  skins,  the  horses,  and  all  the 
remainder  of  the  spoil. 

'*  Left  alone  in  my  tent,  I  realized  my  desolation ; 
and  wept  as  I  lay  helpless  on  the  ground,  conl<:'m])lating 
the  miserable  life  that  lay  before  me.  From  this  dis- 
ti-acted  condition  I  was  roused  by  the  voice  of  my 
darling,  who,  looking  out  from  her  little  cot,  called  out 
for  papa  and  mamma.  It  was  a  salutary  and  warning 
answer  to  my  sinful  re})inings,  and  at  once  '  I  rose  to 
walk  in  faith  the  darkling  paths  of  earth.' 

"I  was  soon  visited  b/  the  Indian  women,  from  com- 
passion or  curiosity;  and  my  ajtpearaju'c  struck  them 
with  awe.  You  perceive  that  I  am  unusually  tall, 
and  my  figure  was  then  erect  and  commanding.  I 
was  dressed  in  a  long  mantle  of  black  velvet,  lined 
with  ermine,  with  a  bonnc^t  of  the  same  material,  or- 
namented with  long  black  })lumes.  My  app(!aranco 
impressed  them  with  the  conviction  that  I  was  a 
mysterious  and  important  person  ;  and  as  I  afterwards 
heard,  I  was  immediately  regarded  by  the  Indians  as 
a  great  medicine-woman,  a  character  which  succeeding 
events  fortunately  enabled  me  to  support. 

"  Mv  child  was  the  wonder  and  adi>ii ration  of  the 
p-Rople,  my  tent  was  daily  crowded  with  her  admirers; 
her  blooming  complexion,  her  bright  golden  curls,  her 
sweet  smiles,  and  lisping  accents  charmed  them ;  and 
fis  she  had  been  accustomed  to  be  nursed  by  the  Indiann 


290 


THE    BKAU-nUNTP:RS 


fei 


Ml 


in  her  early  home  she  held  out  her  arms  to  the  dark 
women  without  fear.  I  had  no  lon^^er  any  alarm  for 
her  safety,  for  I  saw  the  women  would  suffer  no  harm 
to  befall  her.  They  brought  me  abundance  of  food ; 
certainly  not  delicate  food  ;  but  I  had  been  inured  to 
a  meat  diet,  and  had  still  coffee  and  sugar  that  would 
last  some  time. 

"  But  when  I  saw  the  chief  again,  he  came  to  me  in 
deep  sorrow,  to  t3ll  me  that  his  son,  his  only  son,  had 
been  wounded  in  the  unfortunate  attack  on  our  party, 
and  was  now  dying ;  he  was  speaking  strange  words, 
he  had  cried  out  to  beg  his  attendants  to  throw  him 
into  the  river.  And  now  the  medicine-man  of  tlie 
tribe,  who  had  directed  the  treatment  of  the  wound 
from  the  first,  dared  no  longer  to  go  near  him,  lest  his 
patient  should  tear  him  limb  from  limb ;  for  he  was 
very  strong. 

"  I  had  seen  and  understood  the  consequences  of  ill- 
managed  wounds.  I  had  frequently  attended  the  sick 
and  wounded  at  the  fort,  and  I  had  still  my  husband's 
well-stored  medicine-chest ;  therefore  1  requested  the 
chief  to  take  me  at  once  to  his  son.  I  found  him 
raving  with  fever,  enclosed  in  a  sudatory  hut,  rilled 
with  stifling  vapor;  his  wounds  inflamed,  his  tongue 
parched,  crying  out  continually  for  water,  which  the 
ignorant  pretender,  the  medicine-man,  refused  to  allow 
him  ;  his  sole  aim  being,  by  a  series  of  mock  incanta- 
tions, to  drive  away  the  evil  spirit  that  caused  the  suf- 
fering of  the  youth. 

*'  Filled  with  compassion  and  indignation,  I  demanded 
from  the  chief  absolute  power  in  the  case,  which  he 
granted  me,  in  spite  of  the  denunciations  of  the  angry 
and    (invious    charlatan.     Then    I    had    the    sufferer 


OF   THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


291 


brought  into  the  open  air;  I  washed  his  wounds, 
poured  balsam  into  them,  and  bound  them  up ;  I  gave 
him  water  to  drink,  and  bathed  his  heated  temples ;  I 
banished  the  noisy  crowd,  and  had  the  satisfaction  to 
see  my  patient  sinlv  to  sleep.  From  that  time  his  own 
vigorous  constitution  aided  my  endeavors,  and  he  was 
soon  convalescent.  The  gratitude  of  the  father,  the 
awe  and  veneration  of  the  tribe,  and  the  hatred  of  the 
medicine-man,  were  permanent;  and  since  that  time  I 
have  had  every  indulgence  except  the  single  one  I  pined 
for  —  liberty." 

"  Mamma,"  interrupted  Ellen,  "  look  at  my  dear 
brother  Harold ;  he  is  pale  and  ill.  Shall  llahnee  and 
I  bring  your  great  medicine-box,  that  you  may  make 
him  strong  ?  " 

"  My  boy  I "  exclaimed  Rodney,  much  alarmed  when 
he  looked  at  Harold.  "  In  the  interest  excited  by  your 
Btory,  Mrs.  Avondale,  I  had  forgotten  my  young  friend's 
wounds,  the  consequences  of  a  battle  with  the  grizzly 
bear.  I  fear  the  exertion  of  walking  from  our  encamp- 
ment has  exasperated  the  pain." 

"  You  see  madam,"  said  Harold,  "  I  had  no  idea  that 
the  heavy  old  fellow  could  have  come  on  me  so  briskly ; 
and  afterwards  I  made  the  matter  worse  by  handling 
my  gun  again,  and  tearing  open  the  gashes.  I  do  really 
feel  very  faint  and  lady-like." 

Ellen,  assisted  by  a  neat,  quiet  Indian  woman,  who 
Beemed  an  attendant,  brought  forward  a  large  chest, 
and  then  assisted  Mrs.  Avondale  to  rise.  She  opened 
the  chest,  which  was  still  well  stored,  though  it  had 
been  so  long  serviceable  to  the  \';hole  tribe.  To  explain 
the  small  diminution  of  her  piediciqes,  Mrs.  Avondala 


■i  I  ■• ' 


2(i^ 


TIIK    BEAU    lUNTKKS 


I!  '.i 


!  .■ 


said,  "  The  people  are  usually  strong  and  healthy,  anq 
I  have  been  chiefly  called  u[)on  to  aid  the  wounded,  or 
to  prescribe  in  simple  cases  of  indisposition,  wliich  did 
not  require  much  to  be  drawn  from  my  valuable  stock. 
My  father  was  a  physician  ;  nKulical  botany  was  one 
of  his  favorite  studies,  and  he  taught  me  to  distinguish 
plants,  and  to  understand  their  properties.  This 
knowledge  has  been  of  immense  value  to  me,  and  every 
year  I  have  collected  and  prepared  such  herbal  reme- 
dies as  suffice  for  the  common  disorders  of  life ;  and 
have  thus  obtained  fame  and  reverence  at  small  cost." 

"  But  in  your  own  case,  Mrs.  Avondale,"  inquired 
Mr.  Rodney,  as  she  was  engaged  in  pouring  a  cooling 
balsam  over  the  inilamed  wound  of  Harold;  "have 
you  sufficiently  studied  and  attended  to  your  own 
precious  health  ?  I  see  here  invaluable  medicines, 
peculiarly  adapted  to  your  condition  —  for  I,  too,  know 
something  of  the  healing  art ;  and  I  pronounce  your 
weakness  to  be  the  result  of  long-continued  anxiety,  a 
complete  derangement  of  the  nervous  system." 

*'  I  have  tried  no  remedies,"  she  answered  sadly.  "  I 
have  believed  that  it  was  God's  will,  that,  like  my 
beloved  husband,  I  should  die  far  from  all  Christian 
sympathy ;  I  have  bowed  to  His  will,  and  resigned  my 
child  to  Him." 

"  Nevertheless,  madam,"  said  Mr.  Rodney,  "  pardon 
my  interference ;  you  must  try  to  live.  This  is  not 
the  pulse  of  a  dying  woman ;  and  I  shall  take  the 
liberty  of  preparing  a  potion  for  yv>u  from  this  precious 
chest,  which  I  trust  you  will  swallow  before  you  con- 
tinus  your  recital." 

Mrs.  Avondj'le  shook  her  head,  )ut  took  Mr.  Rod- 


OF    THK    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


293 


lod- 


ney's  draught,  and  ordering  Hahnee  to  spread  a  .ionch  of 
fresh-gathered  fern  for  Harold  to  rest  on,  slie  went  on 
with  her  story. 

"  The  ehief,  after  tlie  recovery  of  his  son,  told  ran  to 
name  any  recompense  shoi-t  of  my  emancipation  ;  but 
I  liad  become  too  valuable  now  to  be  released.  1 
asked,  and  my  requests  were  granted,  —  that  my  child 
should  be  left  entirely  in  my  charge;  that  in  every 
change  of  abode,  I  should  have  a  tent  apart  from  the 
rest  free  from  intrusion ;  and  that  I  should  have  the 
liberty  to  walk  about  wherever  I  chose,  unwatched 
and  unsuspected  ;  for  I  promised  the  chief  that  while 
he  lived,  I  would  never  leave  him  without  his  per- 
Jaission.  Thus,  for  many  years,  my  life,  though  one  of 
solitude  has  been  tranquil.  I  learnt  the  language, 
and  have  taught  some  of  the  women  the  love  of  God, 
and  the  practices  of  Christianity.  The  men  are  too 
fierce  and  savage  to  listen  to  the  doctrine  of  peace ; 
but  the  aged  chief  was  superior  to  his  tribe ;  he  had 
traded  with  civilized  men,  and  had  acquired  some  of 
their  feeling  with  their  language.  He  came  daily  to 
my  tent ;  loved  to  hear  me  read  the  precepts  of  the 
Christian  faith,  in  which  saving  faith  I  truly  believe  he 
died  twelve  months  ago. 

"  In  his  last  moments,  he  bound  his  son  to  continue 

my  privileges,  and  to  protect  me ;  and  this  promise  he 

has    faithfully    kept;    but   bold,  reckless,  ana    scoffing, 

he    ever   derided    the    doctrines    and    observances    of 

Christianity,  and    since    the    death    of  his    father,    has 

forbidden  the  women  to  attend  and  join  us  in  prayer. 

He  offered  to  take  me  for  his  principal  wife,  and  my 

refusal    made   him  my  decided  enemy.     He  then  told 

me  that  my  child  must  be  the  wife  of  his  son,  a  violf*nt 

2o* 


..V^^-s*'. 


,T     ••^r-'^-  ^  J_V~ 


r'm 


294 


THE    REAU-IIUNTEUS 


i.% 


r 


S, 


Hill 


ffii  '■ 


;3;pi 


and  wicked  youth,  wlioni  she  dreads  and  abhors.  ] 
pleaded  her  youth,  and  he  has  agreed  to  defer  the 
sacrifice  for  twelve  months ;  but  from  that  time,  I 
have  never  known  peace,  my  health  has  gradually  failed 
me,  and  I  have  felt  as  if  God  had  abandoned  me.  May 
He  graciously  pardon  my  doubts,  who  has  thus  merci- 
fully sent  you  to  advise  and  aid  me." 

"  Only  give  us  an  idea  how  we  are  to  set  about  it, 
dear  Mrs.  Avondale,"  said  Harold,  "  and  we  will  get  up 
a  little  rebellion  and  overturn  the  government  of  thia 
tyrant." 

*'  That  will  never  do,  Mr.  Crofton,"  replied  she ;  "  he 
is  too  powerful  to  be  openly  opposed ;  it  is  only  by 
stratagem  that  you  can  hope  to  escape  ;  anJ  this  attempt 
I  would  gladly  have  you  defer  till  my  death  takes  place, 
which  I  think  is  near  at  hand  ;  for  my  child  would  be 
unwilling  to  leave  me  whilst  I  live,  and  it  is  my  earnest 
wish  that  she  should  accompany  you." 

"  And  you  also  must  be  our  companion,  my  dear 
nadam,"  said  Mr.  Rodney.  **  Believe  me,  that  if  you 
will  only  desire  and  try  to  recover,  you  will,  by  God's 
mercy,  be  restored.  Allow  me  to  be  your  physician, 
and  have  faith ;  and  rely  on  it,  we  shall  carry  you  oflf'." 

"Ellen  will  not  gD  with  her  white  brothers,"  said  the 
weeping  child,  '*  if  her  mamma  remain  with  the  Gray 
Wolf,  He  is  very  wicked ;  he  loves  blood,  and  would 
kill  her.  Mamma  will  tell  my  brothers  of  our  chapel, 
where  the  Gray  Wolf  cannot  come." 

'*  It  is  most  fortunate,  my  friends,"  said  the  lady,  "  that 
my  child,  in  her  wild  rambles,  discovered  a  secret  and 
secure  retreat,  which  we  fitted  up  for  our  private  devo- 
tions, and  to  afford  us  a  shelter  in  thf  j  fearful  emergency 
C  aaw  before  me.     In  a  short  time,  the  tribe  intend  to 


-T^-: 


OF    'IflK    UOCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


295 


lat 
md 

icy 
to 


move  towards  the  west,  to  follow  the  retirir»g  buffaloes 
to  the  mountains.  It  must  be  before  they  leave  that 
your  attempt  be  made ;  and  if  God  grant  me  strength 
to  crawl  to  our  stronghold,  we  can  remain  there  in  se- 
curity, till  the  Indians,  tired  of  the  vain  })ursuit  after  us, 
remove  their  encampmenl.  But  go,  now,  my  friends ; 
your  words  have  insj)ired  me  with  new  life ;  to-morrow, 
Ellen  shall  show  you  our  cave,  and  I  must  be  introduced 
to  the  rest  of  your  party.  Remember  to  be  submissive, 
and  appear  resigned." 

The  two  friends  left  the  unfortunate  widow,  and  re- 
turned to  their  companions  to  talk  over  the  strange  ad- 
venture, and  plan  schemes  of  escape  from  their  savage 
captors.  John  and  Dick  had  already  fraternized  with 
the  Indians,  and  were  assisting  them  in  attending  to  the 
horses  ;  Captain  Scruton  was  standing  apart,  moodily 
calculating  the  slender  chance  of  saving  his  cache.  The 
women  were  employed  in  cooking  the  meat  they  had 
brought  with  them,  surrounded  by  the  inquisitive  squaws, 
who  watched  their  proceedings  curiously.  William  and 
Mike  were  trying  to  converse  with  the  Indians  in  their 
own  language  ;  and  only  the  wearied  schoolmaster  and 
the  sullen  Arncliffe  remained  within  the  hut. 

"  Sure  then,  Mr.  Rodney,"  said  Dennis,  "  it's  glad  I 
am  to  see  you  at  this  time ;  you  being  a  '*aal  scholar 
yourself,  for  it's  beyond  me  altogether  to  put  rason  mio 
Mr.  Arncliffe.  And  he  lying  along  there  on  the  bare 
ground,  and  no  better  heart  in  him  than  Mary  the  girl, 
or  the  old  woman  herself ;  but  worse  it  is  he  is,  moan- 
ing, and  taking  the  Holy  name  in  vain,  when  it  has 
pleased  Him  to  Fave  us  from  the  bear  and  the  savage, 
mid  give  us  a  nate  cabin,  and  mate  enougli,  and  potatoes 


MM 


1 


m 


:!.  '■  I 


296 


TIIK    HKAU-llDNTKUM 


for  bi'lto;  diiys.  Sure  then,  isn't  it  tiiaiikfui  we  sIiouM 
be,  uiul  not  grojuiing  at  all."  Mv.  Kudiicy  was  ^iad  lu 
B«e  the  old  man  so  imusually  ('oiitciit,  and  iiirned  to  re- 
monstrate with  ArncliU'e  for  Ids  in^i'alitmle  to  (jod  for 
his  mercies,     'ilie  man  ini|K'hi(>usiy  answered, — 

"It's  well  for  yon,  iMr.  Uodney,  to  be  tliankl'iil  and 
comj)osed.  Yon  are  in  no  j^reat  danger,  as  far  as  I  can 
8'je,  and  hi<ely  a  heavy  ransom  may  t'rei!  yon.  lint  it's 
dili'erent  with  me,  thongh  God  knows  it's  no  more  than 
I  deserve.  I'm  not  tundng  coward,  sir  ;  1  think  you've 
seen  that  I've  i)hjck  enoiigli  in  nu;,  when  my  blood's  up, 
and  1  shoulchi't  have  mincU'd  so  much  being  shot  down 
by  these  savages;  but  to  die  by  inches,  under  cru(d  tor- 
tures, the  tiionglit  of  that  may  shake  any  man's  heart. 
I've  seen  them  do  it,  Mr.  Kodney ;  and  God  forgive 
me,  though  my  bhxjd  ran  cold,  I  didn't  try  to  help  the 
poor  victims.  My  own  turn  has  come  now,  for,  as  sure 
as  you're  living,  they've  markcnl  me  for  their  next 
bloody  festival.  Didn't  1  see  the  woUish  eye  of  the 
chief  lixed  on  me,  and  1  knew  that  he  remembered  me 
as  one  of  the  ]31ackleet  tribe  ;  for  I  was  with  them 
when  they  captured  and  tortured,  against  my  will,  many 
of  his  tribe.  There's  no  escape  for  me,  Mr.  Rodney. 
I'm  a  doomed  man." 

"I  feel  deeply  distressed,  Arncliflb,"  replied  Mr. 
Rodney,  "  and  I  will  not  now  heap  coals  of  fire  upon 
your  head  by  alluding  to  past  errors.  But  we  are  not 
actually  under  restraint ;  we  are  not  fettered  and  im- 
prisoned ;  you  can  ride  well.  Gould  you  not,  with 
your  sagacity  and  caution,  seize  a  horse  in  the  night,  as 
you  have  done  before,  and  ride  off  on  him?  Take  the 
road  to  the  Platte  river,  and  if  it  please  God  we  should 


OF    TIIK    l{()CKV    MOl'NTAINfl. 


21)7 


Mr. 

ipon 
noi 
im- 

hvilh 

It,  113 

llie 
kould 


also  Bucccod  in  cscapiiifjj,  w(i  will  follow,  Jiiid  may  re- 
join you.  Do  not  lose  licjirt  ;  be  ))roni|>t  and  deter- 
mined." 

AriK^lifle  poemcd  reli(;v<'d  hy  this  snj^^jjestion  ;  nnd  by 
Mr.  Ilo(biey'a  advice,  be  feif^nrd  ilbiess,  and  remained 
entirely  in  tl»e  but;  and  in  {jjreat  anxiety  for  their  own 
pafety,  since  it  had  been  discovered  that  they  had  so  no- 
torious a  person  in  thv.'ii'  society,  Rodney  and  Harohi 
son^^ht  the  eiuc,  in  hopes  of  eoinin*;  to  some  (^xphma- 
tion  with  Inm.  Tliey  feund  him  h*aniti^  in  a  (bgnilied 
altitinh?  before  his  lo<lj;«v,  surveyinj^  with  a  k(ren  eye  iho 
occupations  of  his  pcoph',  as  b(!  smoked  a  led  clay  pip«j. 
Harold  had  luckily  in  his  pocket  a  case  of  curious 
cigars,  which  he  polil(dy  handed  to  the  cliirf,  who  hesi- 
tated, and  looked  with  suspicion  on  his  captives.  Then 
Harold  produced  his  match-box,  li<i;ht(!d  one  of  the 
ci;;ars,  and  set  aji  example  by  bc^^inning  to  smoke.  The 
eyes  of  the  Indian  ;;iittered  as  h(^  looked  at  the  light- 
box,  and  he  said,  —  "The  j)ale-faces  make  light  (juickly. 
The  Gray  Wolf  would  try  the  medicine-box  of  the 
stranger." 

This  was  exactly  what  Harold  wished.  There  were 
an  abundance  of  match-boxes  anong  the  projx'rty  of 
the  travellers,  and  he  did  not  hesitate  to  sacritice  bia 
pretty  silver  box  as  a  conciliating  present.  He  tauglit 
the  chief  to  strike  the  matches,  and  be  now  willingly 
accepted  the  cigar,  still  more  willingly  the  box,  and  they 
weie  soon  on  intimate  terms. 

"  My  brothers  have  many  strange  companions,"  said 
the  Indian,  shrewdly  perceiving  that  the  two  friends 
were  of  superior  rank  to  the  rest ;  "  they  have  women 
and  boys,  old  man  and  sick  men.     Why  do  my  brothers 


» '» 


m 

IP'! 


Hi* 


208 


TIIK    UFAK-IIlTNTKItS 


I 


ill 


111  m 


lift 


.1- 


V 


'B 


1 


r 


po  on  the  lniiidii'ij-piidi  uiili  tlio  sick  man,  wlio  li«  .^  on 
the  ^jround,  willi  Iiis  head  covered?" 

*' Tlic  sick  man  is  a  sfr!in;»('r,"  replied  INfr.  Rodney; 
*'  lie  is  not  our  companion.  We  found  liiin  amonp  tlio 
monnlains,  woinuled  and  alone;  Ik;  was  of  onr  counlry, 
and  we,  who  are  (^liri^tians,  are  hound  to  help  onr  sick 
hrotluTs.  We  j)laeed  him  on  one  of  onr  horses,  and 
brou;j;ht  him  away,  that  the  Ixiars  and  the  wolves  mi;];ht 
not  devour  him.  We  only  remained  in  the  <l(>serted 
hut  to  rest  ;  but  the  fijrizzly  hear  came  dowti  from  tlio 
moimtain  and  destroyed  our  horses,  therefore  we  could 
not  pursue  our  way." 

"Are  not  the  i)ale-faces  very  ./ise?"  said  the  chief, 
in  a  tone  of  terror.  "  Did  they  not  know  that  the 
mountain  is  an  evil  spot?  No  one  comes  there  to  re- 
turn living.  The  grizzly  bear  and  the  evil  spirits  only 
dwell  there.  The  red  man  is  very  cnnnitig,  he  will  not 
raise  his  lodges  near  the  mountain  ;  he  strikes  not  his 
hatchet  against  a  tree  in  the  WvKmI,  or  the  hatchet 
would  be  broken ;  he  fires  not  at  the  game  that  hide 
below,  the  evil  spirit  would  throw  the  bullet  back  into 
his  heart." 

Very  much  comforted  to  learn  the  chief's  supersti- 
tious horror  of  this  place,  Rodney  answered,  "  We  were 
not  wise,  brother;  we  cliose  to  rest  beneath  the  moun- 
tain, and  therefore  became  your  captives.  lUit,  listen 
to  my  words,  I  will  give  you  a  writing  to  send  to  the 
trading  fort  of  your  great  father,  that  you  may  have 
blankets,  and  powder,  and  dollars,  in  exchange  for  our 
relciise.     Is  this  good  ?  " 

"It  is  good,"  replied  the  chief.  "The  Gray  Wolf 
will  tell  these  words  to  his  people.     But  all  the  palo- 


OF    TIIK    llOCKT    MOUNTAINS. 


2'JO 


faces  nuist  not  j;o ;  tlu;  sick  8traii«i;<!r  must  nhiy  willi  tiio 
Sioux.  lie  liiis  slain  their  red  brullicrs;  lie  lias  tuk<^n 
Bculps;  tlu;  wives  and  tlu!  sous  of  the  shiiii  ask  for  hiti 
blood.  IVlako  him  ntrong  and  well,  that  lie  umy  die 
Oravidy." 

Harold  shudd«'r(!d  at  this  senteiKc,  and  would  have 
remonstrated  with  the  stern  Indian,  hut  Rodney,  per- 
ceivinj;  his  intention,  mad<;  a  pif^n  for  hitti  to  desist. 
He  saw  plainly  that  any  interfeienee  would  he  vain, 
and  might  only  render  the  chief  hUs[>icious  and  irrita- 
ble. 

*'The  man  is  n(»w 'iek,  even  unto  death,"  said  Mr. 
Rodney.  "I  eannot  make  him  strong:  shall  1  carry 
liim  to  the  tent  of  your  wise  medicine-woman  ?  she  will 
give  him  some  potion  to  cure  him." 

The  chief  hesitated  ;  then  he  said,  "  It  is  good;  but 
let  not  my  brothers  t(dl  the  medicine-woman  that  the 
Bick  man  is  the  enemy  of  the  Sioux.  She  loves  not 
scalping;  she  throws  dark  words  of  evil  on  the  shed- 
der  of  blood ;  she  would  refuse  to  make  the  man  live, 
that  she  might  rob  my  people  of  tlieir  rightful  ven- 
geanci  " 


300 


Till',    IlKAU-IM  NTIUM 


C  II  A  P   r  K  \i     XXVI. 


Arih'lillV'H  I'.HcajM'.  —  Tim  riirsuit.  —  I'lit  in  lii»  lIcrmiljifTP.  —  A 
\'ii*it  lo  lliii  MouiilMiii  ('hv«'m.  —  I.uviii^  in  Slt»irs, —  Tlic  iiiipoN 
Uiit  Plot.  —  'I'll*!  Viiitliitivc  SoivonT.  —  Tim  Start  lor  tliu  CIiiiho. 


(<♦ 


i:. 


¥ 


»'-^ 


Siiocivii)  niul  (lislrt's>c(l,  llic  riicinls  liaslcncd  to 
Icjivc  (he  cliicr,  aiul  sock  llic  Nvi'ctclicd  iiiiiii,  (o  wliom  it 
was  ntM'css.'U'v  to  ('ouunmiicafc  tin'  il('si;j;ns  jiImiiikmI 
nfraiiist  him.  'I'hcn,  tlinl  tlu-y  iniii;lil  consiill  I\Ifs.  Av- 
oiulnlc,  tlu'v  ;i<>t  two  of  llu'  men  to  caiTy  Afiu'lill'r  lo 
hcf  liiil.j'or  lu'  now  alVcctctl  to  1»«'  <|iiito  iitiahlf  to  mov<'. 
Tlu'v  c*)!!!!!!!!!!!!^!!"!!  to  tlic  ladv  all  llial  llu'  cliici'  had 
iaid,  and  when  she  hoard  the  story  of  ihf  ffcklcss  n^an, 
site  spoke  to  hiiu  Mndly,  hut  iMillhichin^ly.  on  the  jiiiilly 
hfo  which  had  hroii^jjht  him  to  this  ilan^'"«'i*otis  jiosilion, 
and  ufayod  that  iiis  ,  'ilU'ring  on  carlh  mi;2;ht  wak<'  him 
fi'om  his  sin  before'  it  was  too  lati;  for  fe|)entane(\  And 
hopinir  that  God  mi^ht  yet  urant  him  time,  she  ailvised 
him  to  lU'o  (jiiiekly,  pointini;  otit  the  road  he  should  lake, 
of  wliieh  she  had  heard  the  people  speak,  and  snpply- 
»  ing  him  witli  some  dried  meat  for  his  journey.  Then 
they  left  her,  and  ArnelitVe  seemed  to  recover  his  reso- 
lution and  hope,  notwithstanUmg  the  cruel  sentence  of 
the  chief. 

The  ni<^ht  was  one  of  storm  and  darkness,  and  they 
all  gladly  sought  the  shelter  of  the  tents,  to  escape 
the  rain,  which  i'ell  in  torrents  ;  and  the  Indians,  who 
givatly    ih'cail    rain,   were    all    soon    secluded    in    their 


*  .^1 


OK     I  in:    IHW'KT    MOf  NIAINrt. 


30. 


|o.l^ 


OS.   iiiiiniii) 


Hill  <>r 


iinv    WM 


It'll.        Ill    flic    <|r;itl    (if   llif* 


|is«'(l 
[lu'ii 

It'SO- 

of 

Ihey 

I'Upti 

Iwhu 
Ihcir 


lii^lil  Ann'lilVe  losr  rroiii  iiin  |•^'^lin;^-|^lJlt•^•,  slutil  iiikI 
KtriMi;; ;  lit'  sli'a|i|MM|  roiiini  liitii  liis  cioiik  of  luiilialo* 
r«kiii,  niid  tlirrw  ovvv  his  >Ii(hiIi|<i,s  llic  )inii'->kin  on 
wlii<-li  \\r  liad  rcshMl.  'I'licn  with  his  hiititiii;^r-knil'(\ 
)u;  cut  H  liir^i^c  o|)('iiiii;i;  in  the.  l)itirulo->kin  covrriii^  of 
iln^  trnt,  mikI  tnislin;;  to  tlu5  n»ni'iii;i;  of  tlio  wiiul  to 
C<)M('(!al  tin'  soiiimI  of  his  ini:v<>in<Mits,  he  crawNMl   .slowly 

•*|)Ot 


H 


over  the  w<'t  j^roiind  to  the  ('(n'ral,  lo\. aid- 
Hf^rrrd  (Ml,  vvlirrr  .lohn  and  l)i('k  had  contrivrd,  hd'on) 
thry  K'tin-d,  to  hiidjr  a  stoni  horse,  and  lie  it  to  tho 
('nice,  ready  Wtv  his  hand.  'Vlw  tirinhliii;^  man  HtM'urrd 
the  hridle,  and  Icij  the  hor,->«'  carcrnlly  union;.;  the  iwvUf 
to  sonic  distance  IVoni  the  l«)d;rcs,  heCore  \u<i  v<!iitui'ed  to 
iiionnl.  Then  li«  dashed  forward,  tliron;^!!  tin*  stormy 
wind  and  pomin;;  rain,  anywhere  to  hr;  heyond  the 
j)ow<'r  of  his  (MMicI  and  vindi(Mive  enemies. 

The  sitnalion  of  lln^  jnisoners  left  Ixdiind  was  far 
from  envial^i(^  It  was  perplexin;.^  to  hav(!  to  commn- 
nicufe  the  matter  to  the  chi«f;  lun*  could  they  hoj»e 
by  any  means  to  es(;a|»c  the  f-u>|)icion  of  havin;:;  advised 
and  iiasist«'<l  the  escape  of  tlu'  man.  They  had  many 
whispered  discussions,  ami  no  sle(;p  for  many  aiixious 
hours,  ai^ilaled  with  the  dread  of  immedial<;  di.-covery. 
At  length,  overcoiiM!  with  wat(;hfidness  of  body  and 
mind,  after  having  agreed  to  pr(!serve  as  far  ua  |)o.ssible 
the  secret  of  ^Vruclilfe's  Highf,  morning  found  ihem  all 
sleeping  soundly. 

It  was  with  ditricnlty  that  the  chief  and  his  friend, 
the  medicine-man,  could  rouse  John  and  Dick — who 
were  slee[)ing  at  the  entrance  of  the  tent — that  they 
might  point  out  to  them  the  opening  cut  behind  the 
tent,  and  inquire  the  c«use.     With  counterfeited  aston- 

26 


S02 


TITK    BKAR-miNTKUS 


mi:^^^ 


Ishment  the  men  sljirtod,  and  uttered  natural  exclama* 
tions  in  their  own  lan<j;iiage.  One  alter  another  lh(5 
sleepers  were  roused,  and  reeeived  tlie  news  of  the 
(light  of  their  companion  witli  sucli  a  well-feigned 
apj)earance  of  innocence,  that  even  the  sagacious  chief 
was  pn/zled  ;  but  the  crafty  medic;ine-man,  himself  a 
deceiver,  scowled  on  them  with  sarcastic  incredulity. 

*' Let  the  j)ale-face  be  pursucil,"  said  he  to  the  chief. 
**  I  visited  him  yesterd.  y.  It  was  1  who  spoke  the 
words  to  make  him  strong  to  feel  the  torture  ;  not  to 
tlee  from  it  like  a  cowardly  dog.  1  will  now  withdraw 
the  strength  1  gave  him.  I  will  make  him  feeble  ;  the 
red  men  shall  overtake  him,  and  bring  him  back  to  give 
to  their  scjuaws." 

The  chief  (;oii<\ding  in  the  words  of  his  counstillor, 
was  soon  mounted  with  his  armed  followers,  endeavoring 
to  disco\er  the  trail  of  the  fugitive;  but  the  Hooded 
state  of  the  ground  rendered  this  imiK)ssible.  They 
therefore  separated,  and  rode  oif  i?i  different  directions  ; 
the  medicine-man,  with  a  suHicient  staif,  being  left  to 
watch  and  guard  the  prisoners. 

Though  it  was  imjiossible,  thus  watched,  to  accom- 
pany Ellen  to  see  her  retreat,  the  prisoners  visited 
Mrs.  Avondale,  and  found  her  already  somewhat  re- 
covered, and  more  hopeful.  She  suggested  to  thera 
the  possibility  of  their  escaping,  at  any  r ute,  to  the 
CHve ;  which,  being  situated  in  the  nmch-dreuded 
mountain,  would  be  secure  from  any  search  that 
might  be  made.  During  the  day,  Ellen,  who  roamed 
at  pleasure  in  the  woods,  had  met  with  Pat  still  living 
alone  in  the  deserted  hut,  and  subsisting  well  on  the 
eggs  and  young  birds  he  collected  from  the  nests,  and 
the    potatoes  from    the  adjacent    plot.      Ellen  charged 


or    THK    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


30? 


com- 
isited 
t  re- 
Ithera 
the 
laded 
tiuit 
imed 
iving 
the 
and 
Irged 


him  to  remain  in  (lie  liiit  till  hi.-:  friends  should  joio 
him,  and  returned  to  her  mother,  to  gl;id(h'n  tht 
hearts  of  the  poor  Irishwomen,  who  now  lived  ehiefly 
with  Mrs.  Avondale,  with  the  inlbrnjation  that  th<;  ho) 
was  in  safety. 

The  Indians  all  returned  in  the  evening  gloomy  and 
feroeious,  for  their  pursuit  had  heen  unsnecessful 
Even  the  medicine-maii  was  regarded  (M)ldly  by  th<r 
chief,  for  lie  had  failed  to  rend'  r  the  man  weak,  and 
to  throw  him  into  the  hands  of  his  enemies.  The 
cliarlafan  (lefend(!d  inmself  hy  artfully  ass<'rting  that 
the  me<licine-woman  must,  have  given  the  man  a 
counter-spell;  but  even  if  this  eh.'uge  was  true,  the 
chief  dared  not  resent  IMrs.  Avondalc's  interference. 
He  feared  her  power,  and  he  was  l><)inid  hy  an  oath 
not  to  injure  her,  greatly  to  the  vexation  of  the 
nKulieine  quack,  who  longed  for  h(*r  death. 

The  two  followinj:;  davs  parties  were  sent  out  after 

D  w  I 

the  fugitive,  but  in  vain  ;  then  the  chief,  angry  and 
disajjpointed,  gave  up  the  attempt.  In  the  mean  time, 
Mrs.  Avondale  daily  became  str(»iig<;r  ;  slu;  was  able  to 
walk  about;  and  tai  jig  care  to  avoid  the  observation  of 
the  Indians,  which  the  situation  of  h(;r  hut  enabled  her 
;o  do,  she  ventured  out  to  enjoy  the  open  air.  Harold 
was  her  constant  visitor,  and  on  one  of  the  days  of  the 
chief's  absence,  she  sent  Ellen  with  him  to  the  retreat  in 
the  mountains.  She  led  him  through  thickets  and  wind- 
ing paths  to  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  near  the  deserted 
but ;  there  they  found  Pat,  and  took  him  with  them. 
Then  ascending,  they  made  their  way  among  the  tall 
pin(js  and  birches,  r.nd  the  thorny  shrubs,  stepping  over 
the  low  underwood,  till  near  the  summit  of  the  moun- 
tain she  stopped  before  a  peipendicnlai-  ciag,  completely 


r 


'i 


804 


Tin:     HKy\K-HrNTKKS 


Bhrc)U(K'il  >\j(li  clinyiin^  vines  niid  various  lioucrin;* 
creeping  plants,  which  niingU'd  I  heir  loiifr  tendrils  in 
fanliislic  net-work.  There  lil'ling  np  a  enrtain  of  this 
net-work,  the  girl  showed  Harold  a  recess  in  tlu;  rork, 
into  which  they  entered  ;  but  looking  round,  he  saw 
with  disappointment  that  it  was  not  capable  c.'ven  ot" 
containing  the  party,  much  less  of  securing  them  from 
discovery  ;  and  the  wall  of  roik  on  all  sides  n|)peared 
eolid. 

Ellen  laughed  mischievously  as  she  looked  on  his 
fallen  coinitenance,  and  advancing  to  the  hack  of  the 
recess,  she  put  her  shoulder  against  it,  and  a  large 
Btone  fell  back,  and  revealed  an  opening,  through 
which  they  j)assed.  She  then  pointed  to  heavy  irag- 
ments  of  rock  inside,  whii'h,  wlwu  they  chose,  could 
be  built  up  against  the  barrier,  to  render  it  innuov- 
able.  From  thence  she  conducted  him  through  a 
narrow,  dark  passage,  to  several  light  and  plea-ant 
grottos,  which  extended  through  the  interior  of  the 
mountain. 

"Here  is  the  diurch,"  said  she,  as  they  entered  a 
small  cave,  in  the  midst  of  which,  on  a  large  stone, 
were  laid  some  books  of  devotion,  anil  around  the 
stone  some  kneeling-mats.  "  Here  mamma  and  1  pray 
to  God  tor  ourselves,  and  for  all  the  red  men  ;  even 
for  the  cruel  Anunisk,  that  God  may  change  his  heart. 
And  we  j)ray  lor  all  mamma's  di  ar  iriends  in  far 
distant  England  whom  we  shall  never  see  till  we  all 
meet  in  Heaven,  and  then  they  will  know  me  to  be 
the  little  White  Dove  who  has  always  loved  them  and 
prayed  for  them.  Kneel  besi«le  me,  brother  Harold, 
and  we  will  say  the  prayer  for  all  the  world." 

Then  the  little  girl  rep«Mted,  with  simple  and  earnesJ 


V'  u 


OF    THK    IJOCKV    IMOINTAINS. 


no.1 


rnest 


fniili,  llio  |>ray<T  fVorn  llic  Li(iir;ry  Tor  all  -;<)ils  an«1  con- 
(lilioiis  of  iix'i). 

*'  Now  I  will  show  you  wliicli  sliall  1h'  yoiir  lo<l{^o, 
bi'ollicr,"  coMfiniicd  sli(\  as  she  N'd  liim  inlo  a  s])a('ious 
and  lol'y  grotto,  li^ilifcd  like  all  flic  n-st  llirou«ili  c:t  r- 
ices  above.  "  Here,  yon  can  H|»r<'ad  frcsli  li'in  f'oi'  yoni 
hi'Aj  a>id  l)c  sale  from  l>a<l  mou,  and  Im'mps,  an<l  wohcs. 
No  livinj>;  tiling  conic^  Ikmt  Iml  IIk'  lidh*  birds,  wldcli 
build  lluir  n<'sfs  above,  and  sotncriincs  sUitr)  round  llio 
caves  <|ni(e  Ixwildercd,  till  IJiey  find  a  crevice  tlironjjh 
wbicli  tliey  can  (iscajx*.  Maintna  is  sorry  for  tbern,  it  is 
so  sad  a  lliinj^  to  be  ini|)iisoned  ;  and  sIk;  says,  '  Sliall 
wo  ever  (escape,  and  fly  away  like,  tlu;  Itirds?'  And 
Fee,  brother,  ibis  cav(!  is  very  cool ;  for  (be  water  fallc 
IVoni  the  mountain  abov(3  into  this  hollow,  and  it  is  pleas- 
ant water.  We  love  to  elimb  u[)  hen;  in  the  hot  sum- 
mer day  ;  here  is  my  own  silver  eup,  which  mamma 
left  at  the  well  to  be  useful  to  us." 

"And  sure,  wouldn't  it  be  useful?"  said  Pat.  "And 
I  would  be  dijjj^in'  up  yer  honner's  ])\<r  box,  and  the 
guns,  and  the  books,  and  the  powther,  and  bringin'  them 
here  nately  on  my  back,  and  niver  a  soul  settin'  eyes  on 
me  at  all;  and  me  lavin'  the  captin's  boxes  buried  snug, 
seein'  he'd  be  tliinkin'  I  was  stalin'  his  dirty  sticks,  the 
nigger ! " 

Harold  was  amused  at  the  assurance  of  the  daring 
boy  in  proposing  to  bring  up  the  heavy  contents  of  the 
cache,  but  agreed  that  it  would  be  very  desirable  tliat 
the  valuable  property  should  be  removed  to  this  place 
of  perfect  security,  and,  Ellen  {)romising  to  watch 
ngainst  any  sur[)rise,  he  undertook  at  once  to  assist  Pat 
in  bringing  \x\)  the  things.  A  spade  had  been  left  con- 
cealed in  iIh;  thatch  of  the  hut,  which  was  aftcrwardi 

2«* 


i,.iJ-''^ 


nof. 


ri\K  nF.wi-uvnrvnn 


'*■; .     ,   ', !, 


more  rtToctiiMlIy  hiddrn  l)v  I'm!  in  I)m'  wood,  miuI  lliis  hfl 
now  pn^dncrd.  Iljirold  uncovered  llie  ntr/if,  nnd  fho 
RtotJt  litllc  hu]  i\\\<\  lie,  will)  tniicli  I.'dior,  Irauslorred  lliM 
i'ontrutf  to  tlic  cs\\i\  schMMinfj  a  ililVcn'ut  piilh  tn'ory 
tiino  they  Mscendcd,  th.'it  ihry  fiii^ht  not  \v:\\o  a  too  ovi- 
dent  frail.  In  faet,  Tat  liiuiseir,  wlion  uncncinnlM'rod, 
usually  journoyd  like  fhe  s<]uirrels,  Iroui  irvo  (o  troe, 
Hud  oertaitdy  IcH  no  trail.  'V\\vy  liad  not  limo,  holow 
it.  was  noeessMiy  to  rot  urn  to  (ho  lo<lij;<'s,  lo  loujovo  Cap- 
lain  Sainton's  pi'oporty.  This  njnst  nooossarily  be  do- 
forrod  till  anothor  t'avorahh*  <>pportinn(y  oecnrnMl ;  atid 
Harold  and  I'lloti  hast<'nod  liMck.  Icavin;;  I'at  at  llio  hut 
as  a  loss  i2;loon)y  horinita^f'  than  (ho  cavos,  thoujj^h  tho 
bold  litth^  t\'llo\v  wonhl  have  had  no  tonrs  ovon  in  that 
solitary  p>lro!il,  it'  ho  ooidd  hMV(>  found  occupatio!!.  It 
was    dosirablo    tliMt    tho    pri^oiuM's    should    individually 


h 


oarn   the  way 


to  tl 


lo  ('av<s, 


tllMl, 


in  oj>s«'  ot*  sopanifion, 


every  one  niiizht  hMv<'  a  ehanoi>  (o  find  rotuue  there; 
therotore  KIKmi  led  tbeni  olV  in  detachuients  of  two  or 
throe,  during  the  t'oUowiuij  i\n\>i,  till  all  wen*  taniili.ir 
with  tho  road  ;  and  Seruton,  with  tlu;  assistanee  of 
Diek,  was  enabled  to  remove  all  hi.-'    proj)erty  to  tho 


cave 


l)urin<]j  this  time  Harold  and  Utxhiey  had  aeooni- 
panied  the  chief  and  several  of  his  men  on  various 
huntinij  ex]>edilions,  and  beini?  allow«Ml  to  carry  their 
puns,  the  experienc(>d  Enjilish  sportsmen  broujj^ht  down 
n  jirent  number  of  din^r,  to  the  satisfaction  of  Auimisk, 
who  bestowed  two  tine  animals  on  them  for  their  own 
mess.  The  haunches  the  hunters  took  to  INfrs.  Avon- 
dale's  hut,  and  she  directed  the  women  to  cook  the 
meat,  which  was  then  secn>tlv  (^Miveyed  to  the  retreat, 


HS  well  as  many 


?tov 


OS, 


aluable  metlicines,  and  oth 


er 


■If- 


OK    TIIK    IJorKV    MnilN'IA'Nfl. 


no; 


tioo, 

re; 
>  or 
ili:\r 
[J    of 

tho 

•oin- 

•ioiis 

llicir 

lown 

nisk, 

I  own 

Ivon- 

the 

[r(Nit, 


projM'ily  lM'I«>n<^iiiji  lo  Mv^.  A voiuhilr.  Il  w  tiild  Ihivh 
hovu  imnossihlc  to  liidn  llirsii  pic|»!ii!ilioiiH  from  llin 
nolin«  of  IImIiimt,  licr  nll«'iMl;iiit  ;  but  llir  f'jiifliriil  woiruin 
who  w.'m  a  rjiwrirc  slave,  a  cliildlrHH  vvitlow,  iimlrrst*;  .(I 
IIm^  TiiotivcH  wliicli  led  lirr  luislicHs  to  i\y  fVofn  the 
t}'ranni('al  Sioux,  and  she  piiijcd  that,  as  sh«!  wa,^  also  n 
ChriHiian,  h\\v.  ini^ht  not  hv  h'lt  hchiiMl.  Mrs.  Avoti- 
<Ial('  fonld  not  n'Ciiso  \\v.r  nMpH'Ht,  lor  shfj  knew  that 
(li^hl  «'ould  ahmr  pn»scrv(!  the,  I'awncc!  frorti  cniclty,  if 
not  (h'alh,  as  sla;  woidd  h(!  wnspcctcd  of  connivintj;  at 
th«'ir  (>s('ap«'. 

"  Don't  you   thiidt    it   would    bi^   brttrr  to   j)lac(^   llio 
old  man  at  ourr.  in  safely,   Mrs.   Avondalc,"  »ai<l   Mr. 
"  He  would  never  be  missrd  from  tin;  encatnp- 


Uod 


ne 


incnl,  for  he  is  K(ddorn  Been.  I*»'g[^y  rni;j:;ht  accompany 
him  too;  for  we  nmst  not  delay  our  attempt  ab(>v<;  a 
day  or  two,  and  at  iIm;  last  moment  we.  ou;j;ht  to  hftvc;  as 
i'evv  impediments  as  |)ossible." 

Mrs.  Avondalc  ajj^rcecl  to  the  plan,  and  it  was  pro- 
posed that  th(;  removal  should  be  accomplished  thai 
evenin;jf.  Pcji^gy  wej)t  nnu'h  at  partin;^  from  Mary  and 
Mike;  but  siie  was  cheered  by  the  hop<;  of  havin*;  Pat 
for  a  companion  in  her  confinement.  "  I>ut,  sure,  it's 
onl}-^  myself  will  be  kapinj;  th(!  house  alto;^(^ther,"  said 
she,  "seein'  the  niaslh(!r  is  no  help  at  all ;  and  me  niver 
huvin'  a  gun,  and  not  knowin'  how  to  let  it  of!',  and   no 


powther    nor    bullets,  and 
afther  us,  oehone  !  " 


may 


be  tl 


le  savaI;<^s   runnm 


But  Mrs.  Avondale  assured  Poggy  the  savages  would 
not  dare  to  venture  near  the  cave,  whf^re  she  had 
nothing  to  dread  but  the  solitude,  and  they  hoped  to  be 
h11  with  her  in  a  day  or  two;  and  Peggy,  being  relieved 
from  her  appreiienfsions  of  savages  and  bears,  began  to 


'  'I 


f  .1, 


rj 


41 


80« 


THK    HFAH-HUNTKRS 


be  pleased  with  the  notion  of  "  rightiti'  up  the  hoi.-e" 
for  tlie  rece|)tion  of  the  rest,  and,  tying  up  her  hundle, 
she  waited  for  Dennis  and  Ellen  to  accompany  her. 

In  the  evennig  one  of  the  Indian  scouts  came  to  the 
lodges  with  the  good  news  that  the  huffaloes  were  within 
a  few  miles'  distance,  at  the  east,  in  great  numbers ;  and 
the  chief  immediately  issued  orders  that  his  people 
should  lake  a  few  hours'  sleep,  and  that  a  large  party 
of  them,  with  the  addition  of  the  prisoners,  should  be 
ready  for  the  chase  at  the  break  of  day.  The  captain  saw 
immediately  that  this  chase  otfered  the  most  liivorable 
opportunity  of  esca|)e,  and  they  spent  very  little  time 
in  sleep,  but  made  tluiir  final  arrangements.  Mike  was 
not  allowed  to  join  the  hunting  party,  on  account  of  his 
youth,  and  Harold  ordered  him,  as  soon  as  the  hunters 
departed,  to  set  out  to  tiie  cave  to  accompany  Mrs. 
Avondale ;  Pat  would  keep  guard  at  the  entrance,  to 
be  ready  to  admit  the  refugees  one  after  another,  as 
they  came  up ;  the  signal  to  be  certain  notes  wliistled, 
on  hearing  which  he  was  to  open  the  passage.  Dennis, 
with  Ellen  and  Peggy,  were  sent  off  at  once ;  it  had 
even  been  proposed  that  Mrs.  Avondale  should  acconi 
pany  them,  but  she  herself  thought  it  prudent  to  delay 
her  departure,  —  a  most  fortunate  decision,  for  the  chief 
took  it  into  his  head  to  visit  her  previous  to  his  de- 
parture for  the  chase. 

"  Tell  me,  woman  of  great  wisdom,"  said  he,  "  shall 
the  pale-faces  go  with  me  on  the  hunting  path.  The 
wise  medicine-man  of  the  Sioux  says,  *  The  pale-faces 
carry  evil  on  the  path ;  leave  them  at  the  lodges,  that 
I  may  watch  them,  and  drive  back  the  evil  spirit  that 
comes  to  aid  them.'  " 

"  The  tongue  of  the  red  medicine-man  speaka  lies,' 


I     U! 


OF    THK    UOCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


3()?» 


istled, 
nnis, 
had 
;com 
.elay 
chief 
IS  de- 
shall 
The 
[•faces 
that 
that 

lies,' 


Riiswered  Mrs.  Avoiidale.  "  The  pale-faces  know  not 
the  evil  spirits  with  whom  he  taliis  ;  they  talk  only 
with  the  one  good  Spirit.  Their  guns  are  true;  they 
will  brinr  down  the  buiraloes,  and  make  a  great  feast 
for  their  red  brothers;  the  pale-faces  must  go.  I  will 
pray  to  my  God  for  good  to  you,  and  to  them.  IJut 
take  with  you  the  lying  medicine-man,  or  he  will  stay 
in  his  tent  and  call  down  evil  on  my  brothers,  lie  at 
peace ;  I  luive  spoken." 

The  chief  yielded  to  the  gentle  power  of  the  woman 
whom  he  feared  and  respected ;  he  commanded  the 
reluctant  and  sullen  medicine-man  to  ride  by  his  side ; 
and  allowing  the  six  chosen  prisoners  to  take  horses 
and  guns  at  their  pleasure,  they  set  out ;  a  formidable 
cavalcade.  The  principal  attendants  of  the  chief  car- 
ried guns ;  but  the  majority  were  armed  with  bows, 
and  all  wore  in  their  belt  a  large  knife  and  th('ir 
arrows. 

It  was  agreed  among  the  prisoners  as  they  rode  on, 
that  each  should  make  his  escape  separately,  at  any 
moment  when  he  could,  galloping  at  full  speed  as  far 
as  it  was  safe  to  leave  a  trail,  and  then  cautiously  ap- 
proaching the  dreaded  mountain  on  foot  after  setting  free 
his  horse  to  join  its  wild  kindred  on  the  prairies.  "  After 
which,"  added  Mr.  Rodney,  "  it  would  be  desirable  that 
ail  who  are  skilled  in  such  feats  should  complete  their 
journey,  like  Pat,  squirrel-fashion,  bounding  from  tree 
tJ  tree." 

"  I  don't  see  why  we  all  should  not  be  able  to  do 
that,"  said  Harold. 

"  I  shall  certainly  not  attempt  it,"  said  Mr.  Rodney ; 
"  I  am  neither  slim,  light,  nor  active,  and  could  not 
undertake  to  skip  with  agility  and  security      I  prefer 


m  -t 


310 


THF,    HKAR-HlINTr.RS 


terra  Jirma,  and  must  tak(*  my  chance.  N()\^,  my  go  il 
friends,  forbear  caballing,  for  the  eye.s  of  tlial  demoniac 
sorcerer  are  upon  us.  Break  away."  It  was  too  true, 
tliat  though  tiie  chief  kej)!  his  friend  close  to  him,  the 
malignant  quack  continually  turned  round  to  scan  the 
followers,  as  if  he  suspected  the  j)lan  of  escape,  and 
the  conspirators  began  to  tremble  for  their  chance. 
Their  single  hope  rested  on  the  confusion  that  might 
occur  duiing  the  heat  of  the  chase,  and  they  looked  out 
anxicusly  for  the  appeaiance  of  the  buffaloes. 


OF    THE    ROCKY     MOUNTAINa. 


311 


CIIAPTKU   XXVII. 


Aft-sr  the  Buffaloes.  —  The  Grand  M<'lev.—A  Run  for  life.  —  Tnv 
phies  of  Victory.  —  The  Mcetiii^^  at  the  Cave.  —  The  Fate  of  th« 
Quack.  —  The  Indians  at  the  Hut. — Protracted  Confnieniuet. 

They  hiul  proceeded  thiou;;li  woods  and  over  plains 
about  four  miles,  when  they  discovered  at  a  distance  a 
dark  crowd,  which  they  knew  must  be  the  buHaloes ; 
and  as  it  wa.s  needful  to  keep  hidden  'a>  long  as  possi- 
ble, the  whole  party  made  a  detour  to  th«  windward, 
spreading  themselves  to  cut  off'  the  retreat  of  the 
animals.  They  succeeded  in  approaching  very  near, 
still  undetected,  and  saw  that  the  plain  swarmed  with 
buffaloes.  Then  the  mounted  Indians  shouted  wildly 
as  they  dashed  into  the  very  centre  of  the  throng, 
terrifying  the  powerful  animals,  which  far  from  avail- 
ing themselves  of.  their  superior  force,  phmged  franti- 
cally from  side  to  side,  bellowing  and  rolling  over  each 
other,  and  finally  taking  to  flight. 

It  seemed  impossible  for  any  horseman  to  overtake 
the  creatures,  which,  especially  the  lighter-formed 
females,  fled  with  incredible  speed,  despising  all  ob- 
stacles, dashing  down  steep  ravines,  and  climbing 
rough  stony  ascents.  But  the  hunters,  dispersed  in 
different  directions,  were  able  in  some  measure  to  im- 
pede or  divert  their  headlong  course,  while  showers  of 
sharp  arrows  reached  the  fugitives,  piercing  four  or  five 
inches  in  depth  ;  which,  as  the  animals  moved,  produced 
intolerable    pain,  causing  them  frequently  to  lie  down 


J12 


TlIK    ni.AK-IirNTKUS 


^H;:!t 


and  mil  on  tin'  pffoiiiid,  in  tli«^  vain  liopo  of  rclirvinj? 
tlicnisclvcs  of  the  Intal  weapon.  Sonielinies  one  laifValo, 
ina»l<len«'(l  with  pain,  wonld  burst  throiij^h  the  opposinjn 
f'ocH,  with  r(id  and  furious  eyes,  tail  erect,  and  bh)od 
ponrin;;  from  its  mouth.  One  of  the>e  fierc(3  animals 
boldly  turned  on  Ilarcdd,  who  was  a  little  apart  froiri 
the  rest,  and  who,  not  bein^ij  prepared  to  shoot,  pru- 
dently resolved  to  run,  and  put.  his  mettled  little  horse 
to  it8  speed,  pursued  by  the  infuriated  bull. 

At  first,  all  this  was  merely  what  Harold  himself 
VTDuld  have  termiid  j^ood  fun  ;  for  the  iiorse  was  as 
much  alarmed  as  he  eouM  be,  and  recjuired  no  spurring 
to  put  forth  all  its  strength  ;  and  after  they  had  rac(!d 
three  or  four  hundred  yards,  Harold  looked  back, 
hoping  to  see  his  wounded  pursuer  fall.  But  there 
was  no  such  prospect;  the  beast,  with  its  glaring 
blood-shot  eyes,  its  nostrils  covered  with  bloody  foam, 
its  broad  threatening  brow,  was  only  a  few  yards 
btiind  him,  and  now,  all  at  once,  Harohl  felt  that  he 
must  certainly  fall  a  victim  to  this  tremendous 
savage  beast.  He  breathed  a  prjiyei;,  and  made  ready 
his  gun,  though  he  dared  not  pause  to  fire,  resolving 
that  his  last  effort  should  be  a  shot.  Onward  he 
spurred  his  now  tottering  horse,  and  again  venturing 
to  look  round,  he  saw  his  adversary  resting  to  gain 
breath ;  bleeding,  roaring,  staggering,  yet  furious  a.s 
ever.  He  drew  up  his  willing  though  trembling  steed 
for  two  minutes,  till  he  dismounted  that  he  might 
aim  more  steadily,  fired  into  the  chest  of  the  bull,  and, 
springing  upon  his  horse,  again  galloped  off,  while 
the  hideous  yells  of  the  beast  announced  not  only  that 
his  slot  had  taken  effect,  but  also  that  the  wounded  buU 
was  still  at  his  heels. 


I* 


OF   THK    KOCKY    MOtTNTAtNft. 


SI3 


Iviiig 
he 
iring 
gain 
is   as 
steed 
light 
land, 
rhile 
that 
bull 


Wilh  hcatinj;  lieart  he  went  on  ;  tlic  roars  con* 
tinned,  but  did  not  seem  so  dose  behind  him  ;  once 
more  lie  turned,  and  thanked  God  as  lie  saw  the  bull 
wallowing  in  its  blood  on  the  ground.  IIow  gladly 
he  now  found  that  he  was  alone  and  sate.  lie  n' 
mained  a  few  minutes  to  rest  his  horse  and  to  out  otl 
the  hump  and  the  tongue  of  his  fallen  foe  ;  the  two 
delieacies  of  buffalo  meat ;  those  he  slung  across  Ids 
horse,  and  once  more  put  the  poor  animal  to  its  spetd, 
making  towards  the  mountain,  the  crest  of  which, 
rising  above  the  woods,  tbrmed  a  striking  landmark. 
He  proceeded  unmolested  on  his  lon(dy  way  till  within 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  his  destination,  when  he  was 
startled  by  iIk;  sight  of  two  horsemen  before  him, 
riding  at  a  very  leisurely  j)ace.  But  he  soon  recog- 
nized his  friends  Rodney  and  Scruton,  and  rapidly 
overtaking  thfjm,  he  called  out,  "  You  lazy  fellows! 
you  deserve  to  be  recaptured.  Do  you  fancy  you  are 
riding  in  Hyde  Park,  you  take  it  so  coolly?  But 
you  must  dismount  now  ;  take;  off  the  bridles,  and  then 
I  will  drive  away  these  useful  creatures  very  unwil- 
lingly, but  it  is  a  necessary  precaution." 

"  Have  we  far  to  walk,  Harold  ?  "  ask(;d  Mr.  Rodney  ; 
"for  truly  I  am  very  stiff.  I  have  exjX'rienced  soma 
shocks  from  the  iron  heads  of  those  frantic  old  bulls, 
and  have  not  eveji  had  the  luck  to  carry  off  a  trophy, 
as  1  see  you  have  done." 

"  It  wiis  a  near  thing,  Rodney,"  replied  Harold.  "  I 
was  convinced  at  one  time  that  it  was  the  bull  that  would 
carry  off  the  trophies;  and  I  little  thought  then  that  I 
ever  should  see  you  again,  old  fellow.  You  tfi.ke  this 
hump  on    your  shoulders  till  1  help   Captain   Scruton, 

who  is  not  well  up  to  unrigging  a  horse  ;  and  though 

27 


if  ; 


]>■'.' 


i 

1 

f 

i 

'^1 

814 


THK    HKAU-lli;NrKU8 


we  ini^lif  look  with  disdain  on  tbcse  roiij^di  hide  bridh'i 
on  our  own  limit ing-;;j<)unds,  you  see  tlu'y  may  finii  out 
u.sef'ul  to  U8  here.  Did  you  ever  think,  now,  Ucxhiey, 
that  I  .shouhl  iiuve  become  i«uch  ;i  prudent,  eeononiieal 
young  man  ? " 

"  Tlie  bh'ssings  of  adversity !  "  groaned  Rodney,  as 
he  threw  the  rough  heavy  harness  ov(;r  Ids  arm;  while 
IJarold,  with  a  la".h  and  a  shout,  dmve  away  (he  eman- 
cipated hor>es,  which  lrotte<l  ol!"  with  delight  towards 
the  richer  jjrairies  in  the  east,  leaving  a  trail  which  the 
fugitive  trusted  might  nn>lead  the  pursuit.  Then  sej)- 
arating,  they  <'autiously  made  their  way  through  the 
thick  wood  to  the  mouth  of  the  cave,  and  giving  a  low 
whistle,  they  were  delighted  by  the  welcome  sight  of 
Dick's  face  at  the  entrance. 

"  All  right  it  is,  captain,"  said  he  ;  "  all  hands  on 
board  but  Mike  and  the  women  folks,  as  is  likely  to  sail 
slow  through  these  here  queer  channels.  What  if  we 
were  to  go  off  to  convoy  them,  cai)tain  ?" 

"  Let  us  have  time  to  breathe  and  call  over  the 
nanies,  Marlin,"  said  Captain  Scruton,  as  they  entered 
the  cave,  though  Mr.  Rodney  and  H\rold  could  not  help 
feeling  uneasy  that  any  were  missii^g.  They  found  that 
the  absent  were  Mrs.  Avondale,  with  her  daughter  and 
servant,  Mary,  and  Mike,  who  had  not  yet  arrived;  and 
they  dreaded  to  think  that  they  might  have  been  ar- 
rested, and  would  then  have  to  sufier  for  the  escape  of 
the  rest. 

"  God  forbid  that  they  should  yet  be  in  the  power  of 
the  savages,"  said  William,  "or  I  fear  the  poor  lady's 
fate  will  be  terrible.  After  we  were  parted,  when  you, 
Mr.  Crofton,  went  otf  after  that  old  bull,  the  Indian? 
scoffing  at  you  for  wasting  time  on  such  a  useless  beast, 


OK    TIIIC    U»)CKY    ilOl'NTAINS. 


315 


the 
;red 
|ielp 
that 
laiul 
land 
ar- 
oC 

of 

[ly'3 

?ou, 

janf 

iasU 


Mr.  U(Hlii(>y  and  Captain  Scriiton  took  af'icr  a  lot  that 
went  .soiitli.  TIk-'H  we  wlio  wrru  east  of  tlie  inasn  of 
buffaloes,  a!on;^  with  the  ehit-fd  set,  C'har;;ed  on  them 
witli  volU'ys  of  arrow.s  and  l>alls  ;  and  I  never  saw  any 
tliin";  like  tin'  scene  that  followed.  The  whoh;  licid 
started  oil'  like  mad,  as  indeed  they  were;  gallojiin;; 
like  racc^-horses,  the  strong  beasts  overthrowin;^  th»j 
weak,  and  running  over  them  right  forward  to  th«'  wig- 
wams. We  galloped  after  them  fiercely  enough  lilt  we 
came  in  sight  of  thu  lodges;  then  Dit'k  tajiped  me  on 
the  shoulder,  saying,  'John's  oil',  and  mind  you  follow 
me  as  soon  as  the  beasts  get  hampered  among  tiie  lints, 
and  frightened  by  the  squalls  of  the  wom«'n  ;  that'll  be 
our  time.  There  they  go ;  heard  you  ever  any  thing 
like  that?*  And  truly,  Mr.  Crofton,  you  might  have 
thought  murder  was  going  on,  such  yells  were  struck 
up  at  the  wigwams  of  the  poor  women,  who  were  gath- 
ering up  their  children  out  of  the  way  of  the  nuuldened 
buffaloes,  which  had  knocked  down  and  wounded  several 
men  who  had  remained  on  the  side  of  the  huts;  and  we 
came  up  to  the  medicine-man,  who  had  been  trampled 
on  and  gored,  and  now  lay  bleeding  and  seemingly 
dying.  The  chief  was  leaning  over  him,  and  as  I  stood 
behind  him,  I  heard  the  wretched  doctor  say,  '  This  is 
the  work  of  the  pale-faced  woman  ;  she  has  sent  evil 
spirits  to  kill  you  and  me.  You  must  sacrifice  her 
without  delay,  or  your  death  is  certain.'  I  heaid  the 
chief  solemnly  promise  the  dying  villain  to  fulfil  his 
wishes;  and  I  then,  not  waiting  to  see  the  conclusion 
of  the  slaughter  at  the  lodges,  rode  after  Dick  straight 
away  here.  But  if  I'd  thought  Mike  and  the  women 
were  still  in   the  hut,  I'd  never  iiuvc  set  out  and  leil 


816 


THE    BEAR-lltJNTERa 


1:1  .  ^l| 


i       ■}' 


them  behind,  *or  he's  but  a  lad,  Mr.  Crofton,  though  he 
has  all  the  pluck  of  a  man." 

"  And  a  good  deal  of  prudence  too,  William,"  said 
Mr.  Rodney.  "  I  think  we  may  trust  him,  though  i 
cannot  say  I  feel  very  easy  about  their  absence." 

"  And  I'm  determined  to  return  even  to  the  lodges," 
•aid  Harold,  "  if  I  do  not  meet  them  on  the  way.  Who 
will  volunteer  to  accompany  me  ?  " 

"  I'm  your  man,  sir,"  said  Dick.  "  I'll  never  desert 
that  lad  in  a  fix,  with  three  women  to  convoy.  Please 
to  pipe  out,  sir  ;  sooner  and  better." 

Every  one  was  anxious  to  go ;  but  it  was  plain  that 
numbers  would  but  increase  the  danger,  especially  if 
the  unfortunate  absentees  should  still  be  at  the  lodges, 
where  opposition  would  be  hopeless,  and  all  must  de- 
pend on  stratagem.  Each,  however,  took  a  gun  to  de- 
fend himself  to  the  last ;  and  leaving  the  cave,  they 
took  a  new  path  to  descend  the  wood.  "  Slop  a  bit,  Mr. 
Crofton,"  said  Dick,  "  till  I  give  'em  another  chance  ; '' 
and  he  gave  the  signal  whistle  rather  louder  than  Har- 
old thought  prudent ;  but  he  was  satisfied  when  he 
heard  it  an>;wered,  though  from  a  consid<Table  distance. 
"  Can  that  fool  of  a  lad  have  gone  and  lost  himself?  " 
continued  Dick  ;  "  and  what  were  the  women  about  to 
let  him  ?     God  send  they  may  be  all  safe." 

They  made  their  way  through  the  entangled  wood 
with  much  ditRculty  towards  the  signal,  which  was  re- 
peated and  answered  several  times,  till,  at  length,  they 
were  greeted  by  the  voice  of  Mike,  calling  out  from  a 
tree,  "  I  say,  which  of  ye  will  that  be,  and  will  ye  be 
runnin' down  and  helping  tbdm  same  tinder  faymales  ? 
Sure,  isn't  it  the  misthress  herself  is  bad,  kilt  outright 


'  I  y 


OF    THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


317 


with   runnin*,  and    walkin',  and    hearin'  siidi    skrlkes, 
and  she  sure  and  sartain  the  liaythcns  were  all  af'iher 


iood 
re- 
Lhey 
|m  a 
be 
lies? 
light 


us?'' 


The  boy  came  down  from  his  roost,  and  ijst  no  time 
in  conducting  the  two  men  down  to  the  lower  part  of 
the  wood,  whore  they  found  Mary  and  ITahnee  support- 
ing Mrs.  Avondale  in  a  fainting  state  ;  Ilalmee  was  in 
deep  distress,  but  Mary  cried  out  joyfully,  "  Sur(>,  Mr. 
Marlin,  dear,  thin  isn't  it  a  blessed  sight  to  put  my  eyes 
on  you  ;  won't  you  be  takin'  the  misthress  on  your  back, 
and  carryin'  her  up  the  hill,  seein'  she's  kilt  altogether? 
And  Mike,  the  spalpeen,  niver  comin'  back  to  help  u  ., 
rausha !  And  Mr.  Crofton  himself,  with  Miss  Ellen, 
and  Hannah  behind  you,  and,  sure,  v.on't  we  defy  the 
savages  entirely  ?  " 

They  were  not  long  in  beginning  the  ascent,  Dick 
bearing  Mrs.  Avondale  with  ease  in  his  sfi-ong  arms, 
and  Harold  with  Ellen  and  the  trembling  IMary.  Hah- 
nee,  relieved  by  seeing  her  mistress  in  safety,  Ibllowed 
them  with  Mike,  who  was  somewhat  downcast  by  the 
reproaches  hiS  sister  poured  on  him  for  being  so  stupid 
as  to  lose  himself  in  the  wood.  They  reached  the  cave 
before  they  were  expected,  to  the  great  joy  of  the  ten- 
ants of  the  retreat,  who  were,  however,  distressed  to 
see  the  condition  of  Mrs.  Avondale.  But  they  found 
restoratives  in  her  own  medicine-chest,  and  they  soon 
had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  her  recover  from  a  faintness 
brought  on  by  anxiety  and  the  u.. usual  exertion  after  a 
confinement  of  some  months.  Mr.  Rodney  assured  her 
ehe  had  no  disease,  and  that  she  needed  only  a  tranquil 
m'nd,  a  vigorous  resolution,  and  a  little  tonic  medicine 

to  fit  her  foi  the  fatigues  of  a  long  journey. 

27* 


818 


THE    BEAR-HUNTERS 


«ll 


if  !' 


'il 


"  Av  ye'd  been  bringing  the  horses  along  with  ye," 
said  Mike,  reproachfully,  "  we'd  be  havin'  an  easy 
time." 

"  Where  would  ye  ha'e  stabled  'em,  lad  ? "  asked 
John. 

"  Sure,  then,  I  was  niver  thinkin'  on  that  same,"  an- 
swered the  boy ;  "  and  may-be  av  we  were  tyin'  them 
up  in  the  corral  down  yonder,  nigh  the  cabin,  wouldn't 
the  bars  be  corain'  agin  to  ate  them  ?  " 

"  And  the  savages  would  have  guessed  we  were 
nomewhere  nigh  h{».nd,  Mike,"  said  Dick.  "  Nay,  nay, 
lad,  we'se  have  to  sail  off  on  our  legs,  and  thank  God 
we  have  'em  left  to  carry  us." 

The  larger  grotto  looked  very  much  like  home,  now  ; 
a  stone  table  was  covered  with  a  white  cloth,  and  spread 
with  cold  venison  ;  and  Pat's  contri!)ution,  turkey's  eggs 
boiled,  and  young  pigeons  broiled  ;  above  all,  they  had 
a  smoking  bowl  of  potatoes,  wliich  Dennis  had  gladly 
assisted  Pat  to  dig  up  that  very  morning.  "  And  sure, 
isn't  there  more  of  them,"  said  the  boy  ;  ■**  and  wouldn't 
we  have  fetched  a  good  lot,  barrin'  Mr,  O'Reilly,  he 
bein'  taken  wit!^.  a  trimblin'  thinkin'  may-b<\,  would  the 
savages  be  catchin'  us  ;  but  won't  I  be  th(  boy  to  be 
fetchin'  more  for  dinner,  to-morrow  ?  " 

But  Mrs.  Avondale  insisted  on  it  that  no  ore  should 
leave  the  cave  for  somp  days,  a?  she  feared  the  Sioux 
would  still  be  at  the  lodges,  their  departure  wes;  being 
delayed  by  the  abundant  supply  of  meat  they  must  hav« 
obtained,  and  which  they  would  certainly  consume  I' 
fore  they  set  out  to  seek  more. 

"  I  am  glad  I  succeeded  in  bringing  off  my  elegani 
bump  and  tongue,"  said   Harold.      "  I  see  Hahnee  ia 


OP    THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS 


319 


liould 
)ioux 
.elng 
1  Viav* 
I' 


contomplaling  tlie  meat  witli  approbation  ;  and  doiibt- 
lest  she  is  acquainted  with  tlie  orthodox  mo\le  of  cook 
ing  these  Indian  delicacies." 

Mrs.  Avonuahi  promi?ed  to  direct  tlie  cookery  ;  and 
now,  being  in  perfect  security,  they  cahnly  discussed  the 
plans  for  thei»'  future  journey. 

"  How  we  shall  evt'r  accomplish  such  an  undertak- 
ing," said  Mrs.  Avondale,  "  is  a,  problem  to  me.  The 
spread  of  civilii.ation  has  doubtless  reached  further  west 
tlian  it  had  at  the  time  when  my  dear  husband  and  my- 
self left  the  Columbia;  but  I  caimot  think  that  we  shall 
have  less  than  four  hundred  miles  to  travel  before  we 
reach  even  the  remote  habitations  of  our  countrymen. 
Some  part  of  the  road  may  doubtless  be  fertile  and 
pleasant,  but  I  fear  we  may  come  on  barren  grounds, 
where  we  shall  encounter  famine  and  thirst,  as  well  as 
savage  animals  and  savage  men.  May  God  guard  us, 
for  we  are  seeking  his  own  people." 

For  three  days  they  secluded  themselves  entirely ; 
wandering  through  the  range  of  caves,  and  encouraging 
Mrs.  Avondale  to  accompany  them,  that  she  might  ac- 
quire strength  and  practice.  But  this  confinement  was 
irksome  to  the  active  ;  and  Pat  had  many  times  begged 
to  be  let  out,  promising  to  keep  in  the  trees;  but  it  was 
not  thought  prudent  to  risk  his  appearance.  But  when 
the  more  delicate  articles  of  food,  the  eggs,  the  young 
birds,  and  the  potatoes,  were  exhausted,  it  became  nec- 
essary to  renew  these  provisions,  and  Pat,  with  his 
friend  Mike,  was  released.  Dick  accompanied  them  to 
enforce  prudence.  They  were  to  descend  the  mountain, 
and  before  they  began  to  forage,  take  a  survey  from  the 
trees  below,  to  ascertain  that  the  Indians  were  not 
about. 


kll 


320 


THE    BEAR-HUNTERS 


:!^; 


.'    '  1 1 


However,  before  they  reached  the  foot  of  the  moiin' 
tain,  they  were  glad  to  seek  the  sheher  of  the  thiek 
tree.' J  for  tliey  heard  the  trampling  of  horses  below. 
Dick  charged  the  boys  to  remain  behind,  and  ventured 
cautiously  to  descend,  till  he  could,  unseen,  obtain  a 
view  of  the  plain  ;  and  from  a  tall  tree,  he  beheld  a  num- 
ber of  horses  without  the  riders,  and  heard  the  voices 
of  the  Indians.  Very  soon  he  saw  the  chief,  with  some 
of  his  attendants,  issue  from  the  hut.  They  held  some 
of  the  spars  that  had  been  left  in  the  cache  of  Captain 
Scruton,  as  too  cumbrous  to  transfer  to  the  cave  ;  and 
thus  it  was  plain  they  had  discovered  that  property  had 
been  hidden,  and  afterwards  removed  ;  a  proof  that  the 
fugitives  had  revisited  the  hut,  and  had  fled  with  their 
treasures. 

Dick  was  not  quick  in  understanding  the  language, 
but  from  the  few  words  he  was  able  to  make  out,  he 
judged  that  the  chief  was  despatching  parties  south 
and  east,  to  pursue  them  for  two  days  ;  after  which 
if  they  were  unsuccessful,  they  would  strike  the  tents 
and  proceed  westward.  Then  he  watched  them  ride 
off,  keeping  a  respectful  distance  from  the  mountain, 
towards  which  he  observed  some  of  the  men  pointing 
with  looks  of  awe  and  horror.  When  assured  that  they 
were  quite  beyond  hearing,  he  returned  to  the  boys,  and 
they  went  back  empty-handed,  except  that  Pat  had 
taken  a  few  pigeons,  to  repcrt  the  necessity  of  continu- 
ing their  seclusion  for  some  days  ;  which  intelligence 
the  women  heard  with  resignation,  and  the  men  with 
some  impatience  ;  though  all  were  thankful  for  their 
safe  shelter. 

"  Then  sure,  won't  I  be  turning  my  hand  to  a  good 
work,"  said    Deaius ;  "  isn't  it  rny  duty  in  the  world. 


■'■i    :i 


good 
IvorM. 


OF    THE    ROOKT    MOUNTAINS. 


321 


and  me  sliut  up  snug  in  this  quiet  cabin.  Sure, 
wouldn't  it  be  little  good,  I'm  thinking,  jMr,  Rodnoy, 
that  you  and  I  were  doing  yonder  among  the  haythens, 
God  forgive  us  for  that  same." 

"You  are  riglit,  Mr.  O'Reilly,"  answered  Rodney, 
"  unless  our  small  exertions  to  deliver  three  Cliri.-tiati 
souls  from  the  power  of  the  savage  infidels  be  some  ful- 
filment of  our  neglected  duties." 

"That's  true  for  you,  Mr.  Rodney,"  said  O'Reilly. 
"  It's  little  my  old  hand  can  be  doing  in  a  strife  at 
this  time ;  but  the  head,  though  I'm  saying  it  myself, 
is  good  for  work  entirely.  And  haven't  I  been  going 
through  the  parts  of  speech  with  miss,  and  she  j)retty 
fair  up  in  the  English  grammar;  and  sure  you  wouldn't 
be  thinking  that  same,  seeing  she's  making  so  little  use 
of  her  personal  pronouns,  and  me  warning  her  this  very 
day,  would  it  be  illigant  English  to  be  saying,  '  Ellen 
loves  her  white  brothers.'  Och  !  botheration,  miss, 
honey,  isn't  it  flinging  away  the  good  gifts  of  words 
altogether  ?  " 

"  We  have  been  so  long  accustomed  to  converse  with 
the  Indians,"  said  Mrs.  Avondale,  "  that  dotdjtless  we 
liave  imperceptibly  acquired  some  of  their  idioms  ;  but 
I  trust,  now  that  she  is  restored  to  English  society,  and 
has  the  benefit  of  your  instructions,  Mr.  O'Reilly,  my 
child  will  soon  become  a  real  Ennrlish  jrirl." 

"  That's  the  truth,  madam,"  replied  the  gratified  old 
man  ;  "  and  will  I  be  communicating  to  Miss  the  least 
taste  of  the  classics,  that  same  being  the  grammar  rf 
the  Latin  tongue,  the  biggest  accomplishment  for  a 
woman." 

"  Not  a  bit  of  it,  I  say,  Mr.  O'Reilly,"  said  Hejold, 
laughing.     "  We  shall  have  no  time  for  study,  once  on 


322 


THE    BEAR-HUNTERS 


ill      I 


}l  i 


the  road ;  and  besides,  I  mean  to  be  Ellen's  tutor  oi 
the  prairies,  and  our  books  are  to  be  the  works  of 
nature.  I  only  wish  we  could  make  a  start  to-day 
for  of  all  the  vexations  of  life,  defend  me  from  im 
prison  ment." 


m 


OF   THR    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


329 


CHAPTER    XXVIII. 

The  v.Ucupations  of  Confinement.  —  The  Anthropophagi.  —  The  Trail 
of  the  Indians. —  A  Turkey  Hunt.  —  The  Buttes  of  the  Prairies.— 
The  Bursting  of  the  Storm  —  Dry  Lodgings. 

But  in  these  days  of  imprisonment  all  were  u.sefully 
em[)loyed.  Mrs.  Avondale  bad  described  the  large 
skin  water-vessels  which  bad  been  among  the  prcpa-. 
rations  of  her  husband  for  crossing  the  prairies,  where 
they  must  encounter  dry  deserts  before  they  reached 
the  fertile  river  valleys  ;  and  they  resolved  to  make 
some  of  these  water-bottles.  The  hide  of  the  bear 
was  not  flexible  enough  for  the  purpose  ;  but  among 
the  variety  of  small  deer  that  frequented  the  moun- 
tains, they  trusted  to  obtain  the  desired  material. 
Ellen,  armed  with  her  light  bow  and  quiver,  was  the 
first  who  was  allowed  to  venture  out ;  and,  dexterous 
in  the  use  of  her  weai)on,  she  shot  two  small  deer  the 
first  day. 

The  venison  was  cooked  for  the  journey,  and  the 
skins,  dried  and  cleaned,  were  formed  into  large  bags, 
or  bottles,  to  be  filled  with  water  before  they  left  the 
rich  and  fertile  grounds.  Dick  had,  in  the  meantime, 
ingeniously  made  three  bows,  on  the  model  of  that  of 
Ellen,  stringing  them  with  the  twisted  sinews  of  the 
deer,  and,  directed  by  Hahnee,  feathered  the  arrows, 
and  barbed  them  with  sharp  flints.  But  all  these 
preparations,  sc  necessary  for  subsistence  and  comfort, 


IJ 


*« 


I 


JI2I 


rm:   \\\  \u  m  n  n  ho 


Ori'Mh'tl      n      Lli'Mll      illCITM^C      ill      I 


'M/MV';i<' ;   .'iimI    iIim    t\\ 


I'll 


wijilit'd  n-i  (lu'v  IooU»mI  oh  iho  licnvy  l>iir.|(Mu«  \\u\iU\ 
rrmlx.  miuI  mon-  iluin  vwv  r<';.ri<>(ir.l  ili(>  Io^m  uI"  tho 
(IscTllI  IliM'sr'M. 

"  Sine,  won't  i(  !»<'  m  <l;irin",  ol'   I'lox  i.I.Mirc,  Mr.  Ko.l- 
nr\,"sMi(l    Doimis,  "  In  lie  lM\ii»«:   (lii;   s.-imo  mmit  oil 
nn<l    lln-owiw!!  omv-rlv  .'■;  inio    ili<<   mi.lsi  ..I"  (he    Aiill 
popliMoi  ?     ( lot!  SM\  r  w^." 


•  Ill, 


no 


\\ 


lo  Mfo  incv 


III 


:i-lvo.l   VMvu.      "   riic  s 


MtllX    IIPV«T 

nwiinN,    iho 


f-poMiv   ol'   iIm'   iriho,   M^    lliov    do   ol'   |li(<    I' 
Cluppownys  tho  ni.'irk  l.'ol.  iiml  mhuo  oIImts." 

"  Wo  li;iv«>  ^.omo  iloiil.!.  IsIIom."  MH^worod  Air.  |{o,| 
"of   llio   o\i^;(ouco   ol'    Mr.   O'K'oilly's   Imi^Im'mi-   Irilic   in 
An\('ri«-M.      Moti  who   nil    ukmi   siill   nro   lo   Im<   round 
th«>    \\«>rld.    I    Itoliovc  ;   l>ii!    I    iliini 


IK'V 


in 


V    \\i>    nord    nol    I'cMr 


ihoin   luMV.      \V 


o    in.iy    1m'   >ho|.   or   o.iplnrod  ;   wo   iiiiiy 


\\v   no  Mpinclicnsion  <»(' 


r\on   dio  ol"    iMiuino  ;   ImiI     1     h 
IxMULi  oalcn  np. 

"  ImiI.  indo-.'d.  Mr.  lu.dn.  v."  MiiMvorod  l-'dlcn.  "  Mali- 
nvo  h;»s  told  mo  th;H  |lio  Sioiix  womon  lovo  lo  nil 
piooj^s  ol'  \\o<\\  iVoin  Ihoir  still  livino-  |<risotin"s,  mid  fat 
thrin.  llahn(«o  has  luM->«'ir  «>alon  hiiinan  Ihsh  bri 
v«lu'  Ix^'amc  a  Christian. 


orn 


"  TraisiNl  l>(>  His  namo."  said  D 
fhoir  kniv<\>i  otl'onr  poor  hodi«>s 


onni> 


tlial  tlu'j  kopt 


And  smv.  it's  little  llosh   tlioyM  bo  flndin' on   your 


bi>nos  or  niino,  iuastlit>r."  said    IVMr.rv 


Wouldn't    it 


bo   tho   youiii:    ami    tnidor    thoy'd    bo    at  in',    tho   d 

d^>iX^ 


in 


■J  " 


I   (HMitoss  that  1  luysoir  tool  roluotant  lo  b'nvo 


nn 


abode  whoro   1   fool   nior 
mind  than 


T   1 


0  (\ast»  of  body  and   pojx'o  of 


i   bavo  onjoyod  i;)r  voars,"  said   Mrs.  A 


von- 


dule  ;  '•  but    I    strujii:! 


c  agaitist    tho    sollisb  fooling.     J 


uif     llir,    llorixV     !M«m:niainK 


.'J2rt 


Know  lliiil  ill  IIiIk  wimIiI 


Crnl 


rut 


lore 


lk(>i»t 


•our 
't  il 
kirty 


an 
of 


,on- 


iro\  MM><  woi 


k   f 


or  Ml 


MIMi 


WO  lo  ll<  iC  wr  slirillk  rifUII  il.  We  mmi  I  I'lirc  llic  In- 
li(.Mir,  iiiv  i;n(u\  Mr.  ()'R«'illv';  wr  <lo  not  sec  wliiit  im»o(| 
(ioil    V«''    Mlf'im-'   IH   lo   !l<r«»|n|ili    II." 

"  Sine,  I'm  nol  Hcrin;^  il  iil  nil,  iMinliim,"  jwihw*  r»'d 
lie,  sinliiiijjr,  "  Imn  iiij^  iH  o|tciiiiij^  iin  /irjid'iny  yuin\  l»»i 
Muiirmjjr;  Mini  lew  scliolnrs  IM   he   [f,*'\\\u[',  I'm    lliiiikiiij^, 


tl 


III 


III  IhH  sniiU'  sMVii^r  coiiiillii  y. 

"  \\v  mIkiII  yd.  I  lio|»f,  in  liiiif,  iirriv*-  iif  tin-  civil- 
i/,«'(|  i(M^i(HH,  O'Krilly,"  sjiifl  llnioM;  "mid  lli<  ri  yon 
will  (IfHilitIr  ;m  iiM'rl  willi  sclmlnis  |(»  rxcrcisr  your  ;il»ili- 
licH." 

"  Ami  miiy-ln<  llic  mji-^lln-r,  yom-    iiitor,  Mr.  (yfrdloti,* 
replied    Dennis,  "  will    lie   sefiin'   up    llieie   loo.       Sure, 
lliin,    woiiMn'l    IvNo   Heli(»(d-i    lie   over    m;my  lor   llio    peo- 
ple?" 

'•  I  promise  yon,  I\lr.  O'Ueilly,"  snid  Rodney,  ffravfdy, 
"nol  lo  open  n  rival  esl!ildi-<linienl.  I  juive  Imd  hc 
ineli  Iroiihle  willi  my  one  pnpil,  lliat  I  have,  no  iiieli- 
nalion  lo  exiend  llie  lalxirs  of  in-^tiintioii." 

vSallslied  lliiit.  In;  should  have  a,  lair  field,  (he  old  mar. 


ri 


naeed    n|)    his    ener<^ies    lo    l»ei;in     his    journey    a^'ain. 


lOllen,  UH   Ihe   nafest  .npy,   was   .sent  onl    !(»    leconnoitre, 
id  reliirned  vvilh  llie  ^ood  news  ihat  every  trace,  of*  tin; 


ui 


Indians  had  di.-appeaied  ;  the,  iod^^es  vve.if;  removetl, 
lh(3  corral  vaeani,  and  ihe,  frail  lo  the,  west  plainly  to  h(! 
discovered.  She  had  Vfinlnred  to  the,  nanote  and  jiro- 
scrihcd  l)ui'yin^-;^ir)nnd  ;  and  there,  (devatcd  on  a  s(taf- 
lold,  she  had  se<!n  the  cor})se  of  the  medi(;ine-man,  ea.-^ily 
nM'o^^nized  by  his  jirofessional  robes  and  the  well-known 
ba;^s  and  parapliernalia  which  were  placed  be.^ide  the 
body. 

"  Wretched     nan  !  "     exclaimed     Mrs.     Avondale. 

28 


'■■7%  ■ 


!i 


I'  Ir 


pii 


ij) 


'II 


:  i 


326 


TIIK    HKAU-IIUNTKIIS 


"What  Ji  fr'arfiil  end  to  his  ill-spent  life!  And  how  uoi 
fortunate  liis  death  inij^ht  have  proved  to  u si,  if  God  had 
not  nu'rciCully  extricated  us  IVoin  the  hands  of  the  he- 
ni^^iited  people,  since  the  wicrked  wretch  had,  even  at 
the  last,  affril)uted  all  the  disast(M\^  of  the  day  to  niy 
spells.  Now,  my  dear  friends,  I  am  ready  ;  let  us  unite 
in  prayer  for  God's  blessing  on  our  journey,  and  then 
go  forth  in  Mis  stren^^th." 

On  a  fair  and  bri<rht  morniiii;  in  tin;  latter  days  of 
JNIay,  they  left  the  mountain  of  refu;j;e,  and  hroujifht  all 
tiieir  property  in  safety  to  tlu^  lower  <jroiind.  Then,  as 
rai)idly  as  their  heavy  burdens  and  the  strength  of  the 
women  permitted,  they  marched  forward,  with  their 
faces  towards  the  sun,  which  lighted  uj)  the  grassy  and 
flowery  plains  and  the  trees  of  varied  foliage  and  blos- 
soms into  glorious  beauty.  The  fresh  grass  had  not 
grown  high  enough  to  be  troublesome  ;  and  though  the 
ground  v.ivs  undulating,  their  road  was  easy  and  pleas- 
ant. The  perfume  of  the  blossoms,  and  the  twittering 
and  chirping  of  the  brooding  birds,  made  the  journey 
interesting ;  and  it  was  only  when  the  noonday  sun 
beamed  seorchingly  upon  them,  that  they  began  to  feel 
the  need  of  rest  and  refreshment ;  and  underneath  the 
ehade  of  the  willows  which  overhung  a  rapid  stream, 
they  dined,  and  slept  two  hours,  and  then  rose  refreshed 
for  further  labor.  At  night  they  raised  low  tents, 
greatly  assisted  by  Ilahnee,  who  was  accustomed  to  the 
work,  and  slept  on  fresh  grass,  cut  from  the  prairie. 

To  secure  a  supply  of  water,  tbey  were  content  to 
follow  the  winding  of  the  river  for  several  days,  though 
this  lengthened  their  journey,  and  carried  them  further 
south  than  they  had  proposed.  But  one  evening,  as 
t,hey  were  selecting  a  convenient  place  for  the  encamp* 


II 


OF    rilK    UOCKY    .MOINTAINH. 


327 


It  to 
|ugh 

ther 
as 

Imp* 


nrioi  t,  Ilaliiico  canu?  up  to  licr  mlstrc-s,  willi  an  cxprcs- 
fIoii  of  fear  in  her  lar^j^c  dark  eyes,  and  sai<l, — 

"  It  is  not  ;j;()()d  to  raise  tlu;  hxlj^es  hen-.  Tlio  rod- 
pkins  of  tluj  prairies  love  not  tlicir  pai«;  hrotlicrH.  Seel 
tlie  stran<j;ers  have  come  on  the  tiail  of  their  eiWMnies  ; 
the  fires  are  yet  hot;  the  hows  are  left  behind;  the 
chief  will  send  iiis  warriors  to  hrin^  the  hows.  The 
pale-faees  do  not  wish  to  kill  tlu;  warriors,  who  will 
go  haek  to  tell  the  chief  to  bring  the  tribe  on  th(^  war- 
path. Why  should  tlu;  warriors  be  slain  ?  They  have 
scjuaws  and  little  ones  to  mourn  for  them.  Then  will 
not  my  [)ale  brothers  leave  the  path  of  the  red-skins, 
and  walk  on  their  own  path  in  peace." 

"It  is  wise  counsel,  Ilahnee,"  said  Mrs.  Avondale; 
"and  I  know  that  your  Christian  brothers  will  agree 
to  avoid  contention,  for  they  are  forbidden  to  shed 
blootl  unnecessarily.  Weary  as  we  are,  my  friends,  it 
will  be  advisable  that  we  should  retrace  our  steps  for 
8ome  distance,  to  avoid  leiiving  a  trail  from  hence; 
then  we  can  strike  out  in  a  new  dii'ectioii.  We  may 
yet  be  fortunate  enough  to  fall  in  with  the  river  again. 
It  has  long  curved  towards  the  south  ;  it  will  i)robably 
wind  round  the  high  grouiul  before  us,  and  return  to 
the  north,  and  by  taking  the  chord  of  the  bow,  we 
shall  gain  time,  avoid  the  Indians,  and  perhaps  find 
the  river  again,  or  some  other  that  may  prove  as  useful 
to  us." 

Mrs.  Avondale's  advice  was  immediately  folIow(?d, 
and  the  toil-worn  travellers  reluctantly  resumed  their 
burdens;  and  those  ho  carried  no  load  were,  in  fact, 
the  least  able  \o  proceed  at  this  late  hour.  Leaving 
the  rivei,  they  marched  forward,  directly  east,  for  some 
miles,  frequently  alarmed  by  sounds  which  they  could 


328 


THK    HKAU-lirNTi;U8 


'•.i 


not  faiu'y  were  produced  by  the  wild  animals  of  th« 
woods  or  plains,  bnt  wjm'c  really  llie  cries  of  childreu 
and  tlio  barking  of  dogs  from  an  Indian  eneampin<Mit. 

At  rnidnighl,  willi  one  eonsent,  they  halted,  com- 
pletely worn  ont.  llahne(!  alone  j)reserved  strength 
and  energy  eiiongh  to  raise  a  tent  to  shelter  her 
mistress  and  Ellen  from  the  night  dews.  They  had 
nothing  left  to  eat  but  potato(!s,  and  they  did  not  dare 
to  make  a  fire  to  cook  them,  but,  faint  and  weary,  lay 
•  down  supperless,  to  take  a  short  rest  before  morning 
recalled  them  to  toil. 

Pat,  tired  as  he  had  been,  was  the  first  to  wake,  and 
rousing  his  companion,  hi;  said,  —  "What  will  we  bo 
doing  for  breakfast,  Mike?  Sure,  thin,  isn't  this  a 
bad  bit!  But  wasn't  myself  seein'  a  big  turkey  sittin' 
up  in  yon  tree,  and  lookin'  bonld  at  me  like*,  seein'  I 
wasn't  carryin'  a  gun  nohow,  by  rason  of  makin*  a 
liidlabulloo  to  tell  the  savages  where  we  were?  And 
wouldn't  you  be  takin'  yer  bow,  and  hittin'  him  entirely, 
Mike,  honey?  Sure  wouldn't  he  be  good  for  break- 
fast?" 

Mike  was  "but  a  novice  in  bow  i)ractice ;  but 
William  had  practised  archery,  as  a  s})ort,  in  England, 
80  he  was  called  to  assist,  and  Ellen,  hearing  tbera 
move,  soon  joined  the  party,  delighted  to  teach  and 
direct  them.  "  The  bird  is  very  wise,"  said  she  ;  "  do 
not  let  it  see  you  come  near ;  hide  behind  the  bushes. 
I  see  many  in  the  tree,  and  we  must  all  shoot 
together.     Now  then  !  " 

Even   Pat  had    been  provided  with  a  bow,  so  four 

arrows  flew  into  the  tree,  and  two  birds  fell  from  it. 

)ne     lay    helplessly    struggling,    but    the    other    ran 

iwiftly    along    the     ground,    with    the    arrow    stuck 


irh-;- 


OF    TIIK    ROCKY    M()4:NrAmS. 


329 


a 


a 


but 

IukI, 

Lena 
tind 
i'do 

[1C3. 

hoot 

[bur 

it. 

Iran 

luck 


thiough  its  wiiij;.  l*jit,  aiiihltiou-t  of  tlic  honor  of 
capturing  a  turkey,  or  fired  by  tlic  paii;.^-*  of  buu^jjcr, 
while  Milce  was  despatching  the  struggbng  bird  with 
his  i^nif'e,  pursued  tlie  fugitive  with  sui'h  >j)eed  that  he 
eaught  it  by  th(^  tail.  Th(;  enraged  bird  immediately 
assaih'd  liim  with  i'lict,  wing,  and  beak,  overdirowiiig, 
traiupbng,  beating,  and  peeiiing  hiin,  till  ins  er.ies 
brought  up  William  and  Ellen.  A  blow  on  the  hea<l 
stunned  the  pugnaeious  turkey,  whieh  had  aln  ady  lost 
mueh  blood,  and  a  good  many  feathers  also,  in  the 
conflict  with  Pat.  Then  Mike  beheaded  the  bold  bir</ 
on  the  spot,  and  laden  with  their  game,  the  sporting 
])arty  returned  in  triumph  to  exult  over  the  la/y 
sleepers,  and  to  venture,  in  a  thiek  grove,  to  light  a 
fire,  that  the  turkeys  might  be  cooked  before  they 
resumed  their  journey. 

"  AVill  we  find  the  nest,  Miki;,"  said  the  untiring  Pat. 
"  Sure  turkeys*  eggs  are  big,  and  good  for  atin'." 

Pat  was  well  acquainted  with  the  haunts  of  the 
turkeys.  He  crept  bcmeath  the  brushwood  of  the 
thicket,  near  the  tree  where  the  birds  were  perched, 
aiKi  soon  discovered  several  nests.  Two  contained 
eggs ;  the  rest  young  birds  in  various  stages  of  ])ro- 
gress  ;  some  only  a  few  days  hatched.  Tlu^y  chose  a 
dozen  of  the  freshest-lookinfj  of  the  o."S^,  and  half  a 
dozen  of  the  largest  oirds,  and  before  they  extinguished 
the  fire,  cooked  them  in  readiness  for  supper,  in  case 
they  should  be  too  tired  to  prepare  them  at  night. 

Then  they  set  out  again,  persevering  in  their  direct 
course,  and  trusting  to  fall  on  some  stream,  for  the 
ground  was  still  undulating,  and  none  of  the  moinitain 
rivers  continued  in  a  straight  direction.  But  a  new 
impediment  arose*    it   was   plain  that  the  strength  of 

2S* 


\\:l*:: 


.3r 


330 


THE    BEAK-HUNTKKS 


Mrs.  A\  ondale  was  giving  way.  So  lately  recovered 
from  a  serious  indisposition,  and  so  long  una^ed  to 
active  exercise,  she  was  unable  to  sustain  the  continued 
fatigue,  and  they  saw  with  dismay  the  necessity  that 
she  must  have  rest,  dangerous  as  it  was  to  linger,  and 
attract  the  attention  of  the  various  tribes  of  marauding 
Indians  who  Infested  the  prairies,  and  especially  the 
banks  of  rivers.  "  We  have  skins,  and  axos  to  cut 
polos,  and  st»'ong  arms  to  wield  them,"  said  William. 
"Mr.  Marlin  will  soon  nail  together  the  sort  of  litter 
that  will  be  (iasy  for  Mrs.  Avondale." 

"  Ay,  ay^  no  fear  of  that,"  replied  Dick.  "  Let  me 
have  the  orders,  and  I'se  soon  rig  up  r.  tight  craft  as  is 
fit  for  this  voyage,  and  lend  a  hand  to  bear  away  with 
the  mistress.     Is  it  fall  to,  captain  ?  " 

Captain  Scruton  having  signified  his  permission,  the 
men  cut  down  two  slender,  young  trees  for  the  poles, 
anti  Dick  nailed  a  dried  buffalo-skin  to  them  ;  to  this 
they  added  an  awning,  to  shield  the  sufferer  from  tlie 
sun  of  noon,  and  she  was  then  compelled  to  yield  to 
their  kino  wishes  ;  and  lying  down  in  the  litter  was 
carried  by  the  willing  men,  though  she  was  truly  dis- 
tressed that  she  should  thus  add  to  the  already  heavy 
burdens.  Moreover,  it  was  two  days  before  they 
reached  an}'  water,  and  their  suffering  from  thirst  was 
extreme  ;  neither  were  the  turkeys,  which  they  o<;easion- 
ally  shot  with  their  arrows,  sufficient  to  satisfy  thw 
appetite  of  so  many  hard-working  men.  Buffaloes  had 
certainly  been  seen  at  a  distance,  but  they  had  no  wish 
to  attract  the  Indians  by  using  the  gun,  and  they  had 
not  much  confidence  in  their  own  skill  with  the  silent 
arrow,  against  these  formidable  beasts.  But  at  length 
the  river  lay  before  them,  delicious  to  their  parched 


!■    ,!  I 


1 1 1 


OP    T„K    ROCKr     UO,  v.,,^,,.  ggj 

'ips,  and  suMTOinK  will,  fi.i,.  „    i 

"-«  •■n^^aged,  and  a  1^,  ?''  7"  '''"'• '''""  "-'  "«' 

-•"•ertsh  made  an  ex     ,"       /  T'''       '•"'"•^'  ''^''■'"•'"' 

^-ped.     High    „i^,    ,,„„r:;^^,  '"^  ''-"  '"'e'y  en- 
w'h  thick  woods,  now  in  ,L  '"  '™"-''-   '"•»«'>-'l 

g-on-     Wllows  be„ro    -      ,:  "T""""  ""''''  "'  ^"^^" 
beneath  .he  fore.t  ,  eerW.    !  IT'"'"  ''"'^^' ^^^ 
■•"--bushes  already  coverTd  J  •,       ,    .'"'''^■•.-■•ow.h  of 
'■onors,  while  ,he  lul  L      "'   ''^""   '•''=''.  "-hnson 
■J'-ns.     Thiswas %!     '   „;rV""-P''^  -'•">   ■■'■oWen- 
for  the  continue,  d..ea  /of!  d     ''"""""  ''''""'  """  <"" 
""•'  of  the  journe/ll;    '"""V"""""'""'  "-"  ">« 

constant  watchfulnL  and  n™         "  "'""'""''  •""  •■' 
venlPfl      Tu  "  iincasniess  could  n,^(  j>. 

ven  ed.     The  young  men  would  no.  I  ^  '"'''■ 

""■ous  on  account  of  theirol  ^-^'^  ^o  deeply 

f  •■•ous  responsibih-,,  ,0  1  a  e  to  ''  ''"'  "  ^"^  ' 

beings  in  .heh-  train  P™'"^'  ""  "'«  '"^Ipless 

They  were  unwillino-  ,„  ^,,;,  ,,  ■    , 

'■"gered  .0  take  a  day-!  '    i      ,     ,"     """'"'"'  'P<"-  »»'' 

-«  'he  old  man,  a:fd  e  ^  le^  "l'  '"'"''"  '"«  -™- 

'O"*  for  game.     They   aw !       V""'  '°  ^^"^^  "'« 

'wapiti,  caded  by  the  I'  "  ^"''^'  "^  "'«  ^'"'ely 

'"g  one  down,  and   Mrs     !*  """^  '  ^  ^""=<^«ed  in  bring, 
be-aro  of  using  firei  f  T'  '   "■"•"'=<'    "'«"•   '« 

resumed  their  journey  ih  ""'•     ^^''e"   "ley 

;;™'-  at  h.e;v:;s"i:tvr:*  '"r" "-"' 

them  charming  spots  for  p„         ^  ^       ''  """   '''''■""h'd 

-'  -  often'  Ce" ;; :zr''  t"  "'°"»"'' "-' 

"7  ^^trange  sounds,  the  cries  of 


(         •.        -! 


832 


TIIK    ItKAU-lUM  r.IJrt 


(i  1 


unknown  n.'irtunml  aniniiils,  or  some  distant  troop  of 
Indians,  they  were  uninoleste<I  '">!*  several  days ;  and 
Btill  keeping;  wilhln  a  short  dislanee  of  the  river,  aceoni- 
pHshed  many  miles  of  their  jonrney,  living  on  fish, 
yonng  birds,  and  the  mne!i-pri;u'd  [wtatoes,  whieh  were 
at  length  entirely  consnmed.  And  now  they  once  more 
reached  one  of  the  enrious  wooded  monntains,  that  stand 
a})art  from  any  chain  on  the  vast  prairies  of  the  Far 
AVest.  They  mnst  either  cross  or  skirt  this  wide- 
spreading  hutte^  and  they  preferred  to  keep  tiie  low 
ground,  and  wind  round  it,  though  still  marching  near  to 
the  wood,  to  have  the  benefit  of  shade,  for  the  sun 
had  now  attained  great  power,  and  the  heat  exhausted 
them  more  than  the  labor  of  walking.  Tlu^y  all  dragged 
themselves  slowly  along,  excei)t  Pat  who  chose  his 
usual  mode  of  locomotion,  leaping  from  tree  to  tree,  and 
Ellen,  who  had  been  so  long  inured  to  the  free,  open-air 
life,  that  she  never  tired,  but  rambled  leisurely  among 
the  trees,  continually  binding  some  new  plant,  insect,  or 
bird,  to  bring  to  Mr  Rodney,  that  she  might  learn  it^ 
name  and  nature,  ani  he  kindly  imparled  instruction  to 
the  unsophisticated  girl,  and  the  neglected  William 
Arncliffe^  who  equally  longed  ardently  for  the  knowledge 
which  circumstances  had  hitherto  prevented  them  from 
obtaining. 

At  length  the  sun  become  overcast ;  the  sky  waa 
one  gray  cloud,  so  low,  that  it  seemed  to  rest  actually 
on  the  mountain  top ;  and  a  heavy  languor  oppressed 
the  travellers.  They  were  compelled  to  rest ;  INIrs. 
Avondale  had  fainted  in  the  sultry  atmosphere ;  some 
were  lying  on  the  ground,  some  looking  round  foi  water 
U)  refresh  thera,  some  fanning  themselves  ineffectually 


i!  ] 


OF    THK    ROCK\     MOUNTAINS. 


333 


or 

it^ 

to 
lam 
llge 
lorn 

?aa 

|Uy 
5ed 

[rs. 

le 

ter 

lllj 


♦vith  greoti  bouglis ;  but  all  enoffry  wha  auspendcd,  aritl 
it  W..S  eviilont  that  ihcy  could  not  yet  proceed  on  their 
journey. 

"There  is  soinelhinp^  appalling  in  this  hi^at  without 
sun,"  said  Harold.  *' What  does  it  portcMid,  my  sa;»<; 
tutor?  TIh;  birds  that  chciered  our  morning!;  hours  with 
their  wliistle,  and  chatter,  and  strange  un-Knglish  choral 
pounds,  are  now  silent  ;  the  n^stless  s(piirrel  and 
0[)Ossum  are  still ;  even  the  vexatious  insects  that  cease- 
lessly war  against  us  have  mach;  a  truce.  Nalun;  has 
fallen  aslec^p,  and  I  feel  inclined  to  lie  down  on  this 
flowery  bank,  and  sleep  too." 

"  I  would  not  advise  you  to  sleep  undi^r  the  tnies,  or 
your  sleep  may  he  eternal,"  replied  Rodney.  "  A.  storm 
is  at  hand  ;  this  lower  ground  is  covered  with  tall  trees, 
cfnductors  of  the  electric  fluid,  and  my  opinion  is, 
that  we  should  be  safer  on  the  bare,  open  mountain 
top." 

"  And  be  drowned  by  a  torrent  from  the  clouds  we 
shall  intrude  on  !"  exclaimed  Harold.  "  Well,  it  is  a 
choice  of  death  by  fire  or  water.  What  do  you  say, 
Captain  Scruton  ?     Are  we  to  climb,  tired  as  we  are  ?  " 

The  straggling  forces  w(!re  collected,  and  reluctantly 
yielded  to  climb  the  mountain,  Peggy  murmuring  that 
there  was  nolhinj!:  like  a 'j;ooil  tree  in  a  "thunner" 
shoser;  but  the  wiser  heads  denied  the  fact.  Wearily 
they  ascended  through  the  brakes  and  briars  to  the  bare 
crags  that  formed  the  height.  But  even  here,  not  a 
brenth  of  air  fatmed  their  heated  faces;  and  exhausted 
and  panting,  they  sat  down  on  the  fragments  of  r^ck  till 
the  voice  of  the  storm  broke  on  their  ears.  A  tremen- 
dous crash  —  the  thunder  rather  bursting  tiian  rolling 
—  reverberated  among  the  rocks  with  deafening  roarj 


!i   ''  " 


II!     h 


r 


I     ! 


334 


THE    BEAR-HI3NTER8 


while  at  the  same  moment  the  lightrjng,  in  br'ghl 
streams,  seemed  a  fiery  shower  descending  i'rom  the 
heavens,  even  to  the  very  feet  of  the  startled  travellers. 
The  next  minute  the  rain  fell  in  torrents  over  them ; 
and  in  terror  and  awe,  Peggy  cried  out  —  "  Will  it  be 
Mr.  Rodney,  yer  honner,  that  the  Lord  himself  is  being 
angered  with  us,  sinners  as  we  are,  by  rason  of  our* 
comin*  over  the  say  among  the  haythens?  Ochone! 
Will,  ye  unlucky  gossoon,  why  were  ye  set  on  laving 
ould  Ireland  ?  Won't  we  be  drown't  entirely,  seeing 
its  Noah's  ilood  comin'  down  on  our  heads,  and  we  never 
havin'  the  blessed  ark  to  be  shelthering  us  ?  " 

"  Will  I  be  showin'  ye  an  illigant  shelther,"  said 
Pat,  "  and  niver  a  three  nigh  it,  by  no  maimer  of 
manes  ?  " 

"  Sure  then,  Pat,  honey,"  said  Mary, "  it's  you  that  is 
the  sharp  gossoon.  Won't  I  be  glad  to  see  mother  inside 
of  that  same  cabin." 

The  lad  laughed  as  he  led  them  for  some  yards  along 
the  face  of  a  wall  of  rock  ;  then  forcing  his  way  through 
a  thicket  of  low  brushwood,  pointed  out  a  small  opening 
in  the  rock. 

"  Would  there  be  a  bear  inside,  Pat,  honey,  and  rae 
fearing  to  face  him  ?  '*  said  Mary. 

"  Niver  a  bar  at  all,"  replied  the  boy.  "  Wasn't  I 
going  over  them  mysflf,  and  seeing  what  nate,  dhry 
lodgins  were  here  ?  " 


it(  ■; 


OF    THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


83fl 


CHAPTER     XXIX. 

A  Labyrinlh  of  Caves.  —  A  Thunder-stoim.  —  Tho  River  Barrier 
—  The  UnmnnHyeal)le  Raft.  —  John's  uncomJurtable  Position. — 
A  dilHcult  Haul.  —  Total  Destitution. —  John's  Dread  of  Water. 


m't  I 
dhry 


Pa-T  boldly  took  the  lead,  crawling  through  the  open- 
ing ;  he  was  followed  by  Harold,  who  took  care  to  con- 
vey a  gun  with  him.     The  passage  was  too  narrow  for 
more  than  one  to  pass,  and  they  gradually  descended, 
till    Harold,  hearing  the  sound  of  water  before  them, 
caught  hold  of  the  boy,  and  insisted  on  his  proceeding 
no  further  till  they  had  procured  lights.     They  drew 
back,  therefore;  and  making  some  pine  torches,  which 
they  lighted  beneath  the  shelter  of  the  mouth  of   the 
cave,  Harold  himself  led  the  way ;  and  one  after  an- 
otiier  the  whole  party  followed  the  pioneers,  glad  to  es- 
cape the  storm.      They  soon  reached  a  broad  stream 
which  cut  off  their  progress,  as  it  flowed  across  the  pass 
towards  some  hidden  outlet  of  the  mountains ;  and  here 
the  cave  became  wider  and  loftier,  but  was  quite  dark. 
This  river  was  a  formidable  obstacle  ;  but  the  unfearing 
boy,  looking  over  the  shoulder  of  Harold,  said  —  "  Sure 
't's  noways    deep,  yer   honner ;    and   wouldn't   we    be 
helpin'  the  faymales,  the  craturs?  " 

"  No  doubt  you  could  afford  them  a  great  deal  of  as- 
sistance, Pat,"  rei)lied  Harold,  "but  I  prefer  to  lead  the 
way  myself.     Fall  back  and  wait,  my  boy." 

Then,  seeing  the  water  was  not  more  than  two  feet 


€■ 


;'i: 


■fUiijjjl 


!!^ 


i 


336 


THK    BKAU-HUNTKK9 


d(U»p,  Harold  Winlcfl  tlirouixli  ;  and  lioldiiig  up  lil,>^  light, 
penetrated  through  a  winding  passage  on  the  o[)posite 
side  into  a  large  dry  cave,  <o  lofty,  that  though  only  a 
few  narrow  crevices  in  the  roof  afforded  light  and  ven- 
tilation, it  did  not  seem  to  want  air.  From  this  central 
chamber  many  branches  led,  ascending  or  descending  to 
other  caves,  all  dry  and  clean,  and  apparently  never 
having  been  visited  by  man  since  their  formation. 
From  the  roof  of  one  cave  hung  mnnerous  beautiful 
stalactites,  some  forming  columns,  and  all  glittering  in 
the  light  of  the  torches,  till  the  scene  resembled  a  fairy 
palace.  In  fact  the  whole  mountain,  which  was  of  lime- 
stone, seemed  to  be  honeycombed  into  caves  which 
might  have  afforded  an  impregnable  retreat  to  an  army. 

"  Gloomy  as  it  is,"  said  Mr.  Rodney,  "  we  ought  to 
thank  God  for  this  temporary  shelter  from  a  storm  such 
as  I  have  never  seen  surpassed,  except  in  the  tropics ; 
here  we  are  safe,  and  the  flowing  water  cools  the  atmos- 
phere delightfully." 

"  But  I  should  Hke  to  be  in  the  open  air,  that  I 
might  look  on  the  storm,"  said  Ellen.  "  I  love  to  hear 
the  voice  of  Almighty  God  in  the  thunder,  and  see  the 
fire  of  heaven  corae  down,  as  it  will  come  on  the  last 
day,  to  destroy  the  world.  Do  come  with  me,  Mr. 
Rodney,  and  talk  to  me,  as  you  talk  to  "William,  of 
vhe  wonders  of  ebctricity.  I  think  I  can  understand 
you." 

Mr.  Rodney  could  rarely  refuse  Ellen  any  request, 
and  followed  by  William,  who  wore  a  look  of  great 
awe,  they  returned  to  the  mouth  of  the  cave,  to  watch 
the  blue  lightnings  dart  along  the  dark  clouds  with  a 
velocity  the  eye  could  scarcely  follow  ;  and  as  they 
stood   they  saw  it  strike  a  withered  elm  not  far  fix)m 


OK    THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


337 


tl(  ni.  rondinf^  tlie  imm(Mise  trunk,  tlui  splinters  oi'  which 
fell  at  their  feet.  The  dry  tree  blaz«'d  up,  and  coinniu- 
nicated  its  flames  even  to  the  green  wood  near,  spread- 
ing from  tree  to  tree,  till  the  watchers  shrunk  hack  into 
the  slielter  of  the  cave  to  escape  from  the  awful  confla- 
gration. Jut  the  rain,  which  had  ceased,  again  poured 
down  in  one  great  mass  of  water.  Ellen,  who  put  forth 
her  hand  to  welcome  the  precious  stream,  declared  it 
was  warm  water;  and  this  quenched  the  burning  woods 
and  cooled  the  heated  atmosphere.  The  eyes  of  Ellen 
were  raised  in  wonder  and  adoration  ;  she  forgot  her 
own  weakness  and  the  perils  that  surrounded  her,  while 
she  contemplated  the  mighty  works  of  her  Heavenly 
Father.  William,  pale  and  agitated,  was  kneeling  down, 
his  face  turned  from  the  scene,  in  fervent  prayer. 

"  You  can  never  be  in  the  wrong  to  pray,  William," 
eald  Mr.  Rodney  ;  "  hut  remember  to  pray  in  faith, 
nothing  doubting.  In  the  midst  of  peril,  the  Christian 
can  ever  say  :  — 

"Thou,  0  Lord,  art  with  me  still, 
Thy  friendly  crook  shall  give  me  aid, 
And  guide  me  through  the  dreadful  shade." 


They  returned  to  the  inner  caves  with  thankful 
hearts,  to  wait  in  peace  and  submission  for  the  termi- 
nation of  the  storm,  which,  however,  continued  through 
the  day  and  night ;  and  as  Pat's  desirable  "  dhry  lodg- 
ins"  were  not  furnished  with  food,  they  were  com- 
pelled to  fast  till  the  cessation  of  the  rain  enabled 
them  to  go  out  to  forage.  Then  Pat  and  Mike  looked 
out  for  nests  ;  William  and  Ellen  sought  for  fruit,  with 
which  the  bi^^hes  were  laden,  but  the  greater  part  was 
yet  uniipe.     Tlh».  rest  of  the  men  took  out  their  bows  in 

29 


I 


838 


THi:    ..KAll-nUNTKKS 


the  faint  hope  of  meeting  with  game.  Towards  even 
nig  tlie  beys  came  in  with  a  bag  of  turkeys  ;  Ellen  and 
William  brought  a  ba.sket  of  really  ripe  strawberries, 
and  some  very  acid  white  raspberries,  the  juice  of  which, 
how  eve.,  vvhen  mingled  with  cold  water,  formed  a  pleas- 
ant beverage. 

The  sportsmen  produced  two  small  but  full-grown 
deer.  They  had  seen  on  the  plains  a  herd  of  buffaloes ; 
but  they  were  careering  wildly,  as  if  pursued,  and  it 
was  therefore  suspected  ll  at  Indian  hunters  were  in 
the  field,  whom  the  small  {)arty  liad  no  wish  to  en- 
countc/',  and,  therefore,  withdrew  with  their  first  spoil, 
proposing  to  remain  in  the  caves  for  a  day  or  wo  till 
the  Indians  had  left  the  neighborhood.  The  deer 
were  skinned,  and  tin  hides  washed  and  prepared  by 
Hahnee,  Avho  m  .de  ,i  bag  of  part  of  thj  leather,  in 
which  Dick  could  tarry  his  tools  more  conveniently 
than  in  the  heaw  box.  The  rest  of  the  skins  were 
rolled  u{)  to  be  carried  off  by  the  women,  to  supply  gar- 
ments for  the  [)Oor  boys,  who  were  in  bad  condition. 

The  old  schoolmaster  enjoyed  the  good  broth  made 
from  the  venison,  for  the  tough  buffalo  or  elk  meat 
defied  his  powers  of  mastication,  and  he  murmured 
over  his  privations  to  his  friendly  countrywomen. 
*'  It's  not  the  mate  wer'e  nading,  Peggy,"  said  he ; 
"sure  it"^.-.  not  aqual  to  the  potau).  and  that's  the  truth  ; 
and  isn't  that  same  the  best  gift  of  God  ;  and  we  never 
thankful  enough  for  it,  sinnerj  as  we  were,  m  our  owr. 
blessed  land  ?  " 

But  the  delicate  turkey-stew  and  the  broth  revived 
tb**  old  man,  and  enabled  him  to  n.ake  further  ex  r- 
Hon  when  necessary ;  and  after  a  few  days'  rest,  and 
none  I II «»  out    spies   to  observe    the    country,   they  con- 


■4.* 


>  ■-■■  'Vi"v 


•r^.- 


OF   THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


339 


fluJed  the  Indians  had  departed,  and  resolved  to  make 
no  longer  delay  ;  for  at  this  season  the  heat  of  the 
sun  prevented  them  from  travelling  at  mid-day,  and 
retarded  their  progress  as  much  as  the  cold  of  winter. 
They  therefore  resumed  their  burdens  and  their  toil- 
some march,  carrying  with  them  a  tolerable  supply 
of  cooked  meat  for  the  provision  of  a  day  or  two. 
I'heir  first  care  was  to  wind  round  the  monntain,  to 
fall  again  on  tbe  river  (hey  had  left,  and,  penetrating 
the  thick  wood,  they  gladly  regained  the  high  banks, 
and  then  determined  to  rest  and  have  a  fish  diimer. 
But  they  were  concerned  to  observe  that  the  river 
deviated  now  considerably  to  the  northeast,  which  was 
not  the  course  they  proposed  to  take.  Trusting,  how- 
ever, that  this  was  only  one  of  the  sinuosities  caused 
by  the  alternate  rise  and  fall  of  the  ground,  they 
marched  along  tl>e  banks  till  the  evening  of  the  seco'id 
day,  when  the  sight  of  a  ridge  of  hills  alarmed  ihem, 
and  they  found  with  vexation  that  at  this  place  the 
river  abruptly  turned  off  directly  north.  Swollen  by 
the  recent  rain,  it  was  too  deep  and  broad  to  be  forded 
by  foot-passengers,  and  they  looked  with  dismay  on  this 
formidable  barrier  to  their  progress. 

"  This  is  what  our  Yankee  neighbors  wonld  call  a 
fix,"  said  Harold.  "  Now,  we  have  th(^  choice  of  wan- 
deiing  along  the  banks  of  ihis  capricious  river  towards 
unknown  regions,  or  venturing  to  ford  it  in  the  face  of 
danger.  What  must  we  determine,  Captain  Scruton, 
land  or  water  ?  "  • 

"  I  have  often  thought  that  a  light  boat  would  be  of 
immense  servi'ce  to  us,"  answered  he,  "  and  I  have  no 
doubt   Marlin    could    b^^iid   such    a   craft.     But,   theni 


4f 


(if 


m 


^ 


III 


M 


i. 


liiF 


li 


'I'U 


i  i 


Mil. 


v\\ 


840 


THK    BF.AR-iniNTF.RS 


lOok  at  tlh,  danger  of  remnining  on  tliis  exposed  spot 
till  it  was  n.'iuly  to  lamieh." 

Mrs.  Avondale  sngge-sted  that  the  Indians  made  tem- 
porary canoes  of  raw  bufl^alo-^^kin,  stretclied  over  a  slen- 
der iraine-work  ;  but,  alas  !  no  bidlaloes  )»a(l  bi-en  seen 
since  tliey  resinned  their  journey,  therefore  this  scheme 
was  not  feasible. 

"What  d'ye  say  to  a  rail  again?"  asked  Dirk. 
"There's  tinniier  enow,  and  I've  my  tools  yet;  no 
thanks  to  them  savages,  who'd  have  bagged  them  all,  if 
we'd  not  looked  sharp." 

"  A  raft  it  is,  Marlin,"  said  Scruton.  "  Pipe  all  hands, 
and  be  brisk,  my  lads." 

There  was  nothing  the  boys  liked  better  than  to  have 
work  before  them,  and  they  were  soon  all  cmj)loyed, 
cutting  down  youi»g  trees  of  the  proper  length,  or  lop- 
ping boughs  to  cross  the  main  spars ;  and  before  they 
were  ready  for  moving  next  morning  a  raft  was 
launched,  capable  of  transporting  the  whole  party  in 
two  trips.  Skins  and  furs  were  spread  over  the  rough 
fabric  to  make  seats,  and,  with  two  rude  paddles, 
Captain  Scruton  and  Marlin  undertook  to  conduct  the 
raft  acroo. .  The  first  trip  was  perfectly  successful : 
the  five  women,  Dennis  and  Pat  were  happily  landed ; 
but  in  the  second,  the  force  of  the  stream  having  carried 
the  raft  much  lower  down,  it  struck  on  a  hidden  rock, 
and  was  capsized.  The  men  had  to  swim  ar  be  dragged 
to  land,  and  with  some  difficulty  Scruton  and  Dick  suc- 
ceeded in  saying  the  raft  and  paddles,  which  were  still 
needed,  as  all  the  baggage  remained  yet  to  be  brought 
across. 

But  Captai\i  Scruton  had  sprained  his  trm  with  bii 


DK    lUF.    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


341 


BlrcniioiH  efforts,  and  was  no  longer  useful.  Dick,  too, 
was  eoinpletely  exhausted,  and  as  he  lay  back  on  the 
grass  to  recover  himself,  he  railed  out,  "  You  lads,  just 
look  over  that  there,  craft,  and  see  if  sin;  be  sound,  afore 
we  launch  her  again.  The  stream  runs  terrible  strong 
hereaway,  and  it'll  take  two  stout  pair  of  arms  to  carry 
her  over  again." 

Harold  and  John  were  of  opinion  that  they  possessed 
"terribly  stout  arms;"  and  as  Scruton  was  out  of  con- 
dition, and  they  were  willing  to  s|)are  Dick  further 
exertion,  they  at  once  set  out  with  the  raft,  which  they 
carried  over  tolerably  well,  as  it  had  now  driCted  lower 
than  the  hidden  rocks.  Then  they  carefully  ])iled  upon 
it  the  property  which  had  been  left  on  the  bank,  and  set 
out  to  return  with  their  valuable  cargo,  anxiously 
watched  by  all,  especially  by  Dick,  who  angrily  de- 
nounced their  presumption  in  undertaking  "a  thing 
they  knew  naught  about." 

They  had  paddled  to  the  middle  of  the  stream,  when 
they  again  struck  against  some  sunken  tree  or  rock. 
The  shock  caused  John  to  drop  his  paddle,  and  the  raft 
drifted  round,  and  was  then  carried  down  the  river  by 
the  force  of  the  current,  against  which  Harold,  by  his 
single  effort,  could  not  contend.  Rapidly  the  laden 
raft  ran  down,  followed  along  the  banks  by  the  anxious 
watchers,  who  labored  vainly  to  keep  up  with  the  speed 
of  the  uncontrolled  craft ;  and  alter  they  had  run  half 
a  mile,  Dick  pointed  out  in  alarm  that  a  lower  valley 
lay  before  them,  to  which  the  river  must  descend  by 
ra|)ids  or  falls. 

"It's  all  ovir  with  tliem  ! "  cried  he  to  Mike,  who 

alone  had  kept  up  with  his  speed.     *'  There'll  not  be  a 

soul  nigh  to  lend  'em  a  hand,  and  mj  bU/wn  and  wake 

29« 


■m 


B 

RilS 

1 

f 

i: 

t 

i 

:■!.: 

ffe' 

'  ,*  -  - 

i 

■1*1 

!l,^' 

fi- 

■  I 

,■<; : 

V 

f\  . 

■  ■■' 

1 

r 


8(2 


TiiK.  nrA!i-iirNnii« 


Rs  n 


l);iM>v  Ye  s«M>,  IStiko,  this  hrn''.**  nof  tlirit  soti  <»f 
wiiik  I'so  iHcd  to,  ;ui(l  I'so  jilto|;rllicr  Id'Hcr  wi'  \ny 
hnUiU  nor  my  I"';^'''  Now,  \v:\il  n  l»it,  Ind  ;  I'vo  ^i'IIimi 
my  brcrUh;  Irt's  mimUp  MMotlwr  pnsl\,  mul  <M)m«^  in,  any 
how.  jiCon'  all's  lost." 

Tlu»  «l«'vottMl   imO.  us  it   Mppronclu'd   tlu'  rjipicl'^,  wmh 


i«\vr| 


tt    I'oiwni'ti    with    such   swil'fiu'ss.   thnl    iho  oiilv   us« 


H:»roI(l  cowUl  make  of  his  |>a<l»lh>  w.'is  to  ward  off  any 
t'otUMission  airainsi  iho  rocks  that  stood  n|»  in  the  water. 
Thr  «nrr«'nl  had  oarricd  thcni  near  to  th(i  rast  Imnkn, 
and  llu'v  walt'hcd  kcrnlv   lor  a  chancr  of  rsran«>.  till, 


SfMMnjr  Ji  liiu'  of  willows 


hant: 


iniir  over 


II 


ic  nviM* 


Ix'l 


oro 


thcin.  Harold  pointed  them  ont  to  John  hy  sinrns,  (or  it 
wa-*  itnpo^sihlo  fc  wonN  to  be  heard  amidst  the  roar 
of  the  wafers,  broken  by  lar;^*'  rocks  scattered  over  th(^ 
bed.  !\nd  notirins;  down  the  descent.  Thev  were  fbrin- 
nately  n?uler  th«'  trees,  and,  citchinir  at  the  ov<M'han<jin{» 
branches,  fh(>y  remained  snsp«»nded  a  lew  feet  above 
the  water,  as  if  on  a  gallows,  while  they  saw  the  raft 
and  its  v;ihiable  ootitetits  flyin*;  down  the  river  at  rail- 
way speed.  In  spile  of  their  pcrilons  situation,  and  the 
vex.atious  loss  of  all  their  possessions,  Harold  conld  not 
forbear  a  n\om(Mitary  lamih  at  the  ridicnlons  position  of 
himself  and  his  companion,  as  he  lookeil  round  to  eon- 
sid(>r  how  th(\y  mi^ht  attemj>t  to  plant  their  leet  Hnally 
on  term  Jirtnii. 

"  John,   man,"    he    cried    ont,    "  yon    an'    not    really 

for 


han^red  ;  von  mnst   trv  to  scramble  nii  into  the  tree 
it  is  not  very  pleasant  to  look  down  at  the  deep  water 
racinir  below  you." 

Harold  set  him  the  exanu)le  by  transferrin;:  his  hold, 
one  hand  after  another,  to  a  higher  and  stronorer  bongh, 
»nd  fron  thence,  by  stages,  he  reached  a  safer  jiosition 


'l.j 


or    Till'.    IIOTKY    MOPNTAIN^. 


ili3 


Anl  Hli;j[lilr(|   on    llir   rlifr-t  iiWovc  ;    liiit    .liilin   iciiiHiiieU 
(itii|)(iir(i  and  nioiionlrss. 


tt 


|'.m»  ilrop  soon,  nni^lrr,"   whined   he.     "  I'vi-  ^p|ti 


n 


no   Ircl   ol'   iiiy    lunids;    I'm;   nnnilx-d,   like.      \VI)ar.s    iu 
roiMi'  on  nie?  " 

lliirold  was  |)i'(»voki'(|  at  liin  cowardice;  liiit  was  ^lad 
jiixt  llicn  to  Im;  Itailrd  \ty  llir  roliiHt  Dick,  vvliosc;  strrn;;lli 


woi 


iU\  I 


H!   (isrt'lil    in  <>xlri('alin;^   lln*  rcarfiil   man.      Dick 


coinnicnccd  Ity  rrvilin;:^  liini  lor  his  want  of  phick  ;  then 
tnrnin;;   to    Harold,  he  said,  "  It's   not  a  hit  of  usi;   talk- 


iiii;;  tlic  IcIIow'h  out  of  his  head,  and    I'si;   hinc  tor 


'h  » 


till 


down  and  hish  him  fast,  or  he'll  drop  afore  I  can  f(-tch  a 
rope  to  haul  him  up.  It's  lucky  that  lad  iMik(f  hroii^rht 
a  liawscM"  over  last  trip.  I>Iow,  just  hind  mu  that  htiap 
you  have  round  you." 

Harold  took  off  his  l(;ather  Ixdt,  and  Dick  li;;htly  slid 
down  the  tree;  with  it,  to  tli<;  place  where  the  helpless 
nmii  was  cHn<;in;i^,  and  after  expostulatin;:  and  threaten- 
ing in  vain,  he  sue(t(;eded  in  ])assin<;  the  hc\{  round  him, 
and  hinding  liiin  fast  to  iUc  stout  extemled  hou^h  ;  then 
leavin;j;  him  in  n  most  uncond'ortahle  po>ition,  attached 
t<i  thc3  iiorizontul  houjijh,  Diek  ascended  to  the  cliff,  nnit- 


'n"» 


t<u'ing  in  Ids  an;^(;r,  "  I'd  have  cut  him  down  at  once, 
and  let  him  take  his  chance  in  't  water,  hut  it  runs 
awful  stronj^,  and  he'd  be(UJ  dashed  to  hits  umon;^  yon 
rocks,  afore  his  s(Mises  cam(!  hack  ;  and  I'd  niver  have 
{i;otten'  him  hauled  out,  for  you  s(!e  these  here  banks  are 
like  walls." 

Dick  started  off  for  the  rope  ;  and  Harold,  leaning 
over  the  cliiK  endeavored  to  rouse  the  distracted  man 


I  hough  it 


•ing    him  that  they   would    save  hi 


rn. 


to  exertion,  assuri 

would    be   hard  work.     15ut  ilolm  continued 
his  genseless  bowlings,  till  Dick  returned  with  a  c«'il  of 


uii 


H'0 


344 


TIIK    HKAH-imNTKIlS 


tliiok  r()|)(>,  wiiii'h  liad  hccn  \ory  useful  on  j-ovoni! 
occasions.  Oiio  (MuI  of  tliis  lie  pfVvscd  round  an  im- 
mense tree  that  grew  on  the  elitV,  giving  u  to  Harold  to 
hold  while  he  descended  with  the  other.  "  Now  hold 
that  rope  fast,"  sjiid  he  to  Harold,  "  hut  don't  you  he 
trying  to  ha\d  till  1  ec me  hack  ;  it's  not  in  you  to  do 
it.  It'll  take  tv.o  hands,  and  more  if  we  had  'em  fo»- 
he's  a  .stunning  weight,  and  he'll  make  no  fend  for 
himsel'." 

Then  he  went  down,  and  passed  the  noose  round  the 
tremhling  man,  including  the  strap  and  the  hough, 
from  which  he  could  not  readily  release  him;  and 
assuring  him  that  ii'  he  did   not  Ivy  to  help  himself,  ho 


would  he  tlown  in  the  fo.iming  water  helow,  Ik* 


seve 


red 


the  bough  with  th(»  axe  he  always  carried,  and  holding 
him  by  the  collar  a  moment,  to  lessen  the  strain  to  Har- 
old ahove,  he  gradually  allowed  him  to  swing  loose,  and 
left  him  vshrieking  with  terror,  to  run  quickly  up  to 
ussist  Harold,  who,  with  William,  who  had  luckily  come 
up,  was  straining  every  nerve  to  hoKl  the  rope. 

The  three  strong  men,  then,  in  spite  of  his  struggles 
and  cries,  at  length  hauled  the  cowardly  .John  to  lirm 
ground.  He  was  however  a  gootl  deal  bruised  and 
scratched  with  the  boujjrhs  of  the  trees,  which  he   had 


m 


iide  no  exertion   to  avoid,  and  almost   senselc 


ss  wuu 


Ih 


iVight.  As  .soon  as  they  had  landed  him  in  sali-ly, 
ilu-y  could  not  forbear  a  hearty  laugh,  till  Williauj 
said,  "Oh,   Mr.  Crofton,  where  is  the  raft?     Have  we 


lost 


every  thi 


nsr 


There  cojld  not  be  a  doubt  of  the 


& 


I'act  ;  every  thing  was  certainly  lost.  Food,  clothin 
every  necessary  lor  comfort,  and  even  for  existetict;,  was 
gone.  No  wondt  r  they  felt  reluctant  to  return  to  their 
expecting  friends,  to  report  this  irretrievable  misfor- 
tune. 


.  _5^T^'iJ^^ 


inn 

and 

):ul 

-ith 

rly, 

iuin 

we 

the 

'"& 
was 

u'ir 

tor- 


OP    THK    HOCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


315 


}^y  lliis  time  .lolm  had  recovered  his  a 'nscs,  aiid 
was  sh(M'|)ishly  and  r(M)li>hly  eudiavorinj;  to  exciiKe 
his  (roiihh'sofjK!  jxjhroonery.  "Say  tio  Tiiorr,  man." 
nuswrred  Dick.  " 'rhoti'sl  made  a  h()nni(;  job  oii't  Ira' 
be;jjinniii;^  to  end  ;  runnin^r  a  somid  craft  rcet  amarjj^ 
rapids;  and  then  when  w(;  mij^ht  iiavc  had  a  chance 
of  some'  salva;!;(%  we  had  thiM^  to  mind,  and  had  to  haid 
thee  np  hke;  a  hiss  or  a  hahhy.  I  thoiifjjht  hctlcr  onthce, 
man." 

"  It  were  all  that  boilinjj;  waller  an  nn(hr  my  feet, 
Dick,"  answered  John;  "I'd  f"ei«jht  savages,  or  slick  a 
bear,  or  ride  an  mil»rock<'n  horse,  wi'  onyboily,  but  I 
nivcr  eouM  biih*  to  iWuik  on  <b*ownin'." 

"  Ay,  ay,"  replied  Dick;  "  they  say  some's  not  born 
for  that,  and  likcdy  yon'll  be  oik;  of  thai  sort.  Come 
away,  let's  be  of!"  lo  rea<l  oil'  our  lo;^;.  TlK'ni's  little 
ciiance  of  piekiii}]^  np  any  wreck  ;  if  we  were  to  (ob"W 
yon  urlijcky  .sraf't,  I  rei-kon  it  would  bd  lost  time." 


I 


nili'' 

1 '  t? 

1' 

840 


THE    BEAR-HIJNTKR8 


CHAPTER    XXX. 


Takiii)?  Slock  —Looking;  out  for  Salviif^o.  —  The  (>.  ntrivances  ol 
the*  Dcstitiitt .  —  Prairie  Travollini,'.  —  'I'iie  dry  Doscrt.  —  A  Nigh", 
of  Storm.  —  Tlic  perplexed  TraveUers.  —  The  lost  Trail. 


Ijl 


li 


mn 


!■:!: 


:;i!r 


If 

•7f 

.-;! 

i 

1 

let: 

1^ 

-i 

1 

The  distress  of  the  elders  of  llie  j):irty  was  vei^ 
ffreat,  when  thi'y  were  iiifoniKid  of  the  total  loSv^  of  the 
raft.  The  women  wept  for  their  household  utensils, 
kettles,  eups,  every  thing  that  eustoin  has  rendered 
neeessai'y  to  eivilized  life  ;  INIr.  Rodney  deeply  regretted 
the  loss  of  his  books,  the  boys  who  had  nothing  to  lo-^^e, 
only  laughed  at  the  catastrophe ;  but  Caj)tain  Scruton 
was  frantic  with  indignation  and  despair.  All  hia 
money,  his  papers,  his  plate,  all  the  heavy  salvage  of 
the  Ni(<jgei  with  whieh  he  had  for  months  eneumbered 
himself  and  others,  every  thing  was  swept  away  in  a 
mon\ent,  and  the  money-loving  man  was  utterly  sub- 
dued by  the  blow. 

He  besought  the  men  to  pursue  the  raft,  and  en- 
deavor to  save  his  strong-box  at  any  rate  ;  and  declared 
that  he  would  set  out  alone,  rather  than  relinquish  the 
chance.  Then  Dick,  with  his  accustomed  obedience, 
and  Harold,  who  felt  that  he  was  in  some  measure 
answerable  for  the  disaster,  agreed  to  accompany  him  ; 
and  proceeding  along  the  banks  of  the  river  they  de- 
scended the  rapid  looking  carefully  among  the  rocks, 
round  which  the  river  boiled  and  foamed,  lor  any  tracu 
of  the  lost  raft ;  but,  for  some  time,  in  vain. 


■■■   :<*^f'' 


■^IPfS!?^ 


OF    THE    KOCKT    MOUNTAINS. 


847 


At  length,  about  two  miles  from  tlu^  place  where  they 
had  crossed,  they  came  on  one  of  the  lai  rje  >j)ars  of  the 
raft,  entangh'd  amongst  the  reeds  at  the  side,  aiul  around 
which  a  buffalo-skin  was  still  rolled.  Th(;y  drew  out  the 
pkin,  and  found  that  it  enveloped  a  large  canister  of 
powder,  which  was  a  desirabh;  acquisition,  for  the  men 
had  saved  four  guns,  and  all  carried  shot-bags.  Further 
on  some  linen  and  clothes  were  floating;  l\nt  scattei'ed 
contents  of  broken  portmanteaus;  and  these,  on  the 
now  shallow  water,  were  easily  recovered.  All  the 
heavy  articles  were  |)robably  lodged  among  the  rockt? 
of  the  rapid,  for  nothing  more  could  be  found ;  and 
they  slowly  returned,  his  two  companions  enduring,  with 
admirable  patience,  tbe  alternate  moody  silence  and 
vehement  reproaches  of  the  disapi)ointed  and  despond- 
ing Scruton. 

"  It  is  a  serious  matter,  Mr.  Rodney,"  said  ho,  when 
they  had  rejoined  tlujir  friends,  ''  for  a  man  at  my  time 
of  life  to  have  to  begin  the  world  again;  who  will  trust 
a  man  witii  a  good  ship,  who  has  lost  his  own  without 
even  saving  the  papers?     I  am  a  ruined  man,  sir." 

"  The  world  is  full  of  trials  and  disappointments. 
Captain  Scruton,"  replied  Mr.  Rodney,  mildly;  "but 
we  have  a  sure  consolation.  Remember  Him  who  said 
to  his  disciples,  '  In  the  world  ye  shall  have  tribulation  ; 
but  be  of  g(X)d  cheer ;  I  have  overcome  the  world.'  " 

Scruton  was  silent ;  he  was  not  an  irreligious  man, 
but  had  an  inveterate  habit  of  complaining;  and  hia 
sinful  love  of  money  demanded  the  trials  with  which 
God  had  mercifully  visited  him.  He  gradually  became 
more  composed  and  resigned,  and  finally  joined  hia 
friends  in  an  earnest  thanksgiving  to  God,  that,  amidst 
these  light  afflictions,  no  lives  had  been  lost. 


i 


\M 


'1  % 

^H|ff 

■4 

■•;!' 

■ 

■■'!! 

■Km  1    - 

i;;,^ 


II  :•:.,! 


848 


THE    BKAK-HLNTKK8 


"  Now,  my  boys,"  said  Harold,  "  you  see  what  we 
have  bel'ore  us :  fourteen  mouths  to  feed,  the  weak  to 
help,  and  the  dcspondiiif;  to  eheer ;  hundreds  of  miles 
to  mareh,  without  guide  or  compass.  But  God  is  with 
us,  as  He  was  with  the  Israelites  in  the  wilderness,  and 
assuredly  will  save  us.  Let  us  consider  our  condition: 
we  have  four  guns,  and  a  fair  amount  of  ammunition." 

"And  I  have  my  bow,  and  a  quiver  of  arrows,"  said 
Ellen  eagerly ;  "  and  mamma  has  my  silver  cup  in  her 
pocket,  which  we  must  all  drink  from.  We  have,  too, 
the  bearskins  on  which  we  are  sitting.  Indeed,  brother 
Harold,  we  have  many  more  useful  things  than  some  of 
my  red-skin  brothers  liad  in  their  lodges.  God  is  very 
good  to  us." 

"  We  must,  however,  try  to  shoot  a  deer  or  two,"  said 
Mr.  Rodney,  "for  the  special  purpose  of  turning  their 
skins  into  water-bags ;  for  we  have  yet  to  cross  the  dry 
desert ;  so  look  round,  my  good  boys." 

"  We'll  start  any  hour  ye  like,"  replied  Dick. 
"  What's  your  will,  captain  ?  I'se  warrant  we  get  on  ; 
BO  niver  be  down-hearted  at  losses.  JNIore  as  is  gone, 
less  we've  got  to  hug ;  and  we'se  carry  t'  mistress's  ham- 
mock briskly  now.  And  then,  captain,  wasn't  it  lucky 
that  Hannah,  God  bless  her,  rigged  me  up  this  here 
satchel  for  my  tools  ;  and  me  wearing  it  cannily  over 
my  shoulder  all  times  has  saved  'em.  A  man  must  be 
a  fool  if  he  cannot  get  on  grandly  when  he  has  hammer 
and  nails.     What's  to  ail  him  ?  " 

"  We'd  do  better  wi'  a  few  stout  horses,"  said  John. 

"  Ay,  ay,  man,"  answered  Dick ;  "  I  consate  thou 
canst  steer  a  horse  better  nor  a  raft." 

"  Every  man  at  his  trade,"  said  John,  tartly. 

"And  thy  trade  ought  to  be  out  of  harm's  way,  man,* 


OF    THK    ROCKl    MOUNTAINS. 


349 


Ihou 


in. 


replied  Dick,  "  for  there's  little  pluck  in  fliy  big  body." 
Harold  undertook  the  defence  of  John,  who  had,  he  as- 
serted, courage  enough  after  his  manner:  when  his 
blood  was  up,  he  was  determined  enough  in  subduing 
an  enemy,  or  a  stubborn  horse;  but  to  be  suspended 
over  a  roaring  torrent  was  an  unaccustomed  trial,  and 
no  wonder  he  lost  his  head. 

Very  light  were  their  incumbrances  now  ;  and  they 
march«^d  on  quickly  ;  for  to  bear  Mrs.  Avondale's  litter 
was  no  fatigue,  when  sharcl  by  so  many.  They  went 
forward  in  the  usual  direction,  speedily  losing  sight  of 
the  river,  and  all  keenly  looking  Jut  for  game  or  any 
other  food  ;  while  Peggy  and  Mary,  in  sore  trouble,  dis- 
cussed the  mode  of  cooking  and  dishing  the  expected 
meat,  now,  in  their  destitution  of  utensils  of  every  kind. 
"  If  we'd  had  only  a  bit  saucepa.i,"  said  John,  "ye  might 
have  boiled  some  of  these  here  nettles.  Peggy  ;  they're 
not  bad  eating  at  a  pinch." 

"Don't  we  know  that  same,  Mr.  John?"  said  Mary; 
"and  we  thankful  to  ate  them  in  the  famine.  Sure, 
then,  Mr.  Marlin,  maybe  you'd  be  thrying  to  make  us  a 
pan.  Wouldn't  you  be  usin'  them  same  tools  you're 
thanking  Hannah  for  koepin'  to  you  altogether  ?  " 

*'  Now  Mary,  my  honey,"  answered  Dick,  <'  you  know 
better  nor  that ;  I'se  not  turn  my  back  on  man  living 
for  carpenter's  work ;  but  as  to  riggin'  up  your  pots  and 
kettles,  it's  out  of  my  line  entirely.  So  we'll  have  to 
turn  savages,  and  eat  our  meat  uncooked,  I  reckon." 

However,  Hahnt^e  assured  them  that,  when  time  per- 
mitted, and  material  was  at  liand,  she  would  make  a 
bark  bucket  that  would  bear  to  be  hung  over  the  fire. 
They  marched  till  dusk,  when  they  encamped  in  a  hol- 
low, where  a  small  pool  of  water  afforded  them  refresh- 
so 


SI 


1; 


m 


3a0 


TIIK    HKAR-1IUNTKK8 


m 


ment ;  and  the  reeds  wliich  grew  around  it  sheltering 
wild-fowl,  Mr.  Rodney  and  Harold,  even  at  the  risk  of 
attracting  the  Indians,  shot  two  brace,  while  Pat  rifled 
the  nests,  and,  though  too  late  for  eggs,  obtained  four  fat 
young  birds,  and,  spitted  on  reeds,  they  roasted  or 
broiled  them  as  well  as  they  could,  dished  them  up  on 
large  leaves,  and,  with  pocket-knives,  and  sharpened 
reeds  for  forks,  contrived  to  make  a  hearty  meal. 

In  the  morning,  after  eating  the  remainder  of  the 
fowls,  they  set  out  cheerfully,  and  went  on  tilF  the 
scorching  rays  of  the  sun  compelled  them  to  seek  shel- 
ter in  a  grove,  where  the  gobbling  of  turkeys  filled 
them  with  hopes  of  a  dinner ;  r.nd  the  sportsmen  ob- 
tained an  abundant  supply  of  food  for  the  day.  But,  as 
they  went  forward,  trees  became  scarce,  and  very  soon 
only  a  stunted  ash  or  thorny  cactus  broke  the  monoto- 
nous expanse  of  prairie  which  stretched  before  them, 
the  high  grass  rising  to  the  shoulders  of  the  tallest  of 
the  party,  and  grievously  impeding  the  progress  of  the 
shorter  and  weaker.  Their  sole  consolation  might  have 
been  that  it  seemed  to  be  untrodden  by  man,  if  they 
had  not  observed  that  it  was  likewise  untrodden  by 
beast.  "  Certainly,  Rodney,"  said  Harold,  "  we  ought 
not  to  name  this  region  a  desert,  for  the  grass  grows 
bountifully ;  bi4t,  as  we  cannot  feed  on  grass,  we  might 
as  well  be  crossing  the  Great  Sahara." 

"  The  grass  is  not  without  its  use,  Harold,"  answered 
Rodney  ;  *  it  somewhat  shields  us  from  the  burning 
sun,  and  we  can,  moreover,  cut  it  down  for  beds  and  for 
fijel,  for  you  see  it  is  so  dried  with  the  heat  of  the  &un 
that  it  will  burn  green.  One  thing  is  alarming:  I  see 
no  water."  This  was,  indeed,  an  alarming  fact.  One 
of  the  few  skins  saved  from  the  wreck  of  ihe  raft  wai 


OK    TUK    UOCKV    MOUNTAINS. 


3:»i 


piey 
by 
sht 


rows 


ua: 


ht 


:'ed 

iing 

for 

gun 

see 

)De 


with  tiitii'Milty  matle  up  into  n  sort  of  bag  oi  bottle,  tc 
be  filled  when  they  readied  a  stream  ;  but  it  was  iio( 
till  another  day  had  passed  that  they  came  on  a  l)a>in 
in  one  of  the  hollows  of  th(!  undulating  prairie.  In  this 
they  found  a  tolerable  supply  of  clear  water,  and,  more- 
over, some  reeds  and  stunted  willows  that  grew  about  it 
afforded  some  hope  of  birds;  tiierefbre  they  resohed  to 
remain  till  next  day  on  the  spot. 

Ilahnee,  with  the  keen  observation  of  an  Indian,  soon 
pointed  out  to  Harold  the  mark  of  a  hoof  on  the  edge 
of  the  pool,  which  she  pronounced  to  be  that  of  a  buf- 
falo, and  the  hope  of  obtaining  real  flesh-meat  cheered 
the  strong  men.  They  made  out  a  trail,  which  they  fol- 
lowed for  two  or  three  miles,  leaving  the  younger  lads 
to  search  for  nests,  and  to  cut  down  sojtk;  broad  reeds, 
at  the  instigation  of  Ilahnee,  to  be  woven  into  buckets 
for  holding  water. 

The  sportsmen  at  length  came  in  sight  of  the  dark 
herd  ;  but  the  bare  prairies  {iflfbrded  no  thicket  to  sh<d- 
ter  them,  and  they  were  compelhMl  to  stoop  and  make 
their  wa} ,  concealed  by  the  high  grass,  till  they  came 
within  rifle-shot.  Then  they  divided  and  formed  a 
curved  line,  arranged  so  that  tluire  should  be  no  danger 
of  shooting  each  other,  and  eac^h  selecting  a  choice  ani- 
mal,  tiiey  fii-ea,  A  loud  bellowing  succeeded,  and  the 
herd  started  oW  wildly  ;  but  one  had  fallen,  and  a  sec- 
ond, with  horrid  roars,  was  staggering  slowly  after  the 
rest,  when  a  second  shot  prostrated  it,  and  the  trium- 
phant hunters  hastened  forward  to  finish  tlu?ir  work  of 
slaughter.  Then,  after  skinning  the  beasts,  they  cut  up 
the  meat,  and  leaving  the  heads  and  offal,  packed  the 
rest  in  the  skins,  which  they  suspended  to  their  rvfles, 


Iwai 


I 


552 


11  IF,    BKAIt-llUNTKKS 


/ 


i; 


Ml     I   1 

>  I,; 


M 


Hi 


a>id  managed  to  convfy  I  lie  desirable  acquisitiv)n  to  theil 
great ly-satisHed  companions. 

Steaks  were  broiled  lor  immediate  consumption,  pnd 
a  large  quantity  of  the  meat  was  cut  in  slices  and  dried 
in  the  .sun.  liahnee  had  woven  one  basket  or  bucket 
90  compactly  thj»t.  it  wo  ilcl  not  only  contain  wat"r  but, 
hung  Jit  ^'>r?;3  K' tf/hl  ?»  '  lie  fire,  they  u.  ed  it  to  boil 
down  the  coarse  i  »<?  *>  m  'i  parts  of  the  meat  into  soup, 
and  the  addition  oi  ome  '  the  delicate  prairie  birds 
which  they  had  obtained  gave  the  soup  a  pleasant  fla- 
vor. Thus  they  fared  luxuriously  for  two  days,  during 
which  they  rested,  curing  the  meat,  preparing  the  skins, 
twisting  the  sinews  into  ropes,  and  cutting  up  one  skin 
into  lassoes,  to  enable  them  to  capture  animals  less  pow- 
erful than  the  buffalo.  They  wov3  more  baskets  and 
buckets,  and  above  all,  some  platters,  which,  though  not 
s«ym metrically  formed,  were  as  useful  as  porcelain,  and 
gave  them  once  more  the  comfort  of  eating  from  dishes 
and  plates.  They  set  out  again  cheerfully,  though  heav 
ily  hiden  with  water  for  two  days*  consumption,  and 
meat  for  double  that  time ;  but  they  were  not  sorry  to 
leave  the  muddy  remains  at  she  bottom  of  the  pool 
which  they  had  emptied,  and  continued  their  march  till 
the  second  day  exhausted  the  water,  and  they  still  saw 
before  them  the  wide  prairie,  more  dreary  and  monoto- 
nous than  ever,  while  the  fervid  heat  of  the  sun  made 
all  exertion  painful ;  and  they  were  thankful  when,  on 
the  third  day  of  their  journey,  a  thick  mist  gradually 
spread  round  them,  shrouding  every  object  that  lay 
more  than  two  yards  distant,  and  shielding  them  effect- 
ually from  the  dazzling  rays  of  the  sun,  though  thej 
suffered  still  from  the  close  and  sultry  state  of  the  air. 


OF    THr.    UOCKY    MorXTAlNS. 


353 


Ai-  ]eiij;th  the  li 'litninj'  flaslu'd,  the  thuiuU'r  rolled. 
tnl  the  rain  fell.  The  unfortunate  and  unsheltered 
trav<jllers,  blinded  vvith  the  mist  and  rain,  and  utterly 
confused  wifh  their  situation,  ran  from  side  to  side, 
see*  ing  the  few  coverings  they  possessed,  or  crouehmg 
under  the  long  grass  to  escape  the  pouring  rain.  Mr. 
llodney  alone  seemed  to  retain  liis  composure,  and  it 
was  some  time  before  he  could  induce  his  companions 
to  gather  prudently  into  one  sjwt,  that  t'  ^'^•ns  and 
cloaks  might  be  spread  to  the  most  a^lvunt  'C,  and, 
above  all,  that  the  guns  might  be  careful!;'  ^  "ott'U'id. 

Then,  crouched  close  together,  the  i,  .jt>»a\3d  party, 
amidst  the  darkness,  the  rain,  the  r'ttling  thunder, 
and  the  flashing  lightning,  remain.  'trough  the 
tedious  night  of  incessant  storm,  some  weeping,  some 
murnfiUring,  some  praying,  but  all  unable  to  sleep  or 
rest.  At  length  the  thunder  died  away,  and  though 
the  rain  continued  to  fall,  a  faint  gleam  of  daylight 
enabled  them  to  observe  the  desolation  around  them: 
the  tall  grass  bent  down  with  the  heavy  rain,  the  pale 
faces  of  their  fellow-watchers,  tlu  drenched  garments 
clinging  round  them  as  they  reclined  on  the  wet  and 
swampy  ground,  with  tlie  wide,  unvarying,  cheerless 
waste  around  them.  "  This  will  never  do,  Roduey,** 
said  Harold  desperately.  "To  maitsh  through  the 
rain  would  be  more  tolerable  than  this  inglorious  sub- 
mission, this  crouching  to  bear  '  the  pelting  of  the 
pitiless  storm.*  Let  us  try  to  shake  off  this  torjwr  by 
quick  motion  at  once,  for  I  conclude  we  need  not  wait 
for  breakfast,  as  we  have  not  yet  sunk  to  such  a  state 
of  barbarism  as  to  eat  our  meat  uncoerced." 

"  A.nd,  sure.  His  name  be  praised,  yer  honner,"  aaid 
Feggy;  "wont   w<j    be   gettin'  a  cup  of  gK>d    watlK*r 


rj54 


tin:  i<kai:-iiuntkk9 


'ii 


!  I 


a^^ain,  seein'  llie  buck«'ts  aro  lnimriil,  and  it's  liltle 
of  that  same  we've  heen  tastin'  these-  tliree  daya, 
muslia ! " 

Thfl  water  from  the  bnckris  was  can'rully  transfer- 
red to  tl»e  larj^ii  h-athcr  ha^  for  future  eiiUT^x'^ney,  aft<'r 
each  had  used  KIIcmTs  silver  eiip  to  obtain  a  draui^ht  as 
a  mihl  breakfast;  tlien  they  marshalled  in  order  to 
set  ont ;  but,  after  a  liitU;  hesitation,  Dick,  with  a  per- 
plexed look,  said,  "  Would  ye  please,  eaj)lain,  to  sing 
out  the  word,  as  to  what  jmint  we're  to  steer." 

"  Kast  it  is,  IMarlin,"  said  Scruton.  "Of  course,  we 
must  go  on  in  the  usual  (breetion." 

"  Ay,  ay  !  "  answered  Dick.  "  East  it  is,  surely  ;  but 
would  any  gentleman,  as  has  larning  about  points,  please 
to  signal  which  may  be  east,  ior  I'll  be  shot  if  1  ean 
make  out  our  course  anyhow." 

The  travellers  looked  round  in  dismay  ;  the  mist  and 
the  storm  had  completely  bewildered  them  ;  not  a  gleana 
of  sun  could  be  seen  to  guide  them,  and  on  every  side 
lay  the  same  monotonous  grassy  undulations,  stretched 
ns  far  as  the  eye  could  ext(;nd,  without  a  single  land- 
mark. They  could  not  even  make  out  th(!ir  own  trail 
now;  for  the  heavy  rain,  which  had  levelled  all  the  long 
grass  alike,  had  completely  obliterated  it.  No  one  could 
.•emem])er  how  he  lay  down  in  the  darkness  and  tem- 
pest, and  each  looked  in  his  neighbor's  face  for  the  in- 
formation he  vaiidy  sought.  Every  one  recollected  that 
the  litter  had  been  set  down  directly  on  the  line  of  their 
course,  but  unfortunately  it  had  been  unrigged,  to  make 
a  temporary  shelter  during  the  rain,  and  they  could  not 
rely  on  the  position  of  the  tent,  which  had  been  often 
changed.  "  We  seem  to  have  fallen  into  an  uiducky 
iilerama,"  said  Mr.  Rodney.     "  I  proi)Ose  t'lai  we  put 


OF    TIIK    KOCKV    MOUNTAINS. 


355 


I  I 


our>elve«  wliolly  into  the  liaiids  of  Captaiii  Scmton. 
Suirly  the  [)rairi(' cannot  he  more  (lillicult  tOMa\igate 
than  th(!  wide  pathless  oeean." 

*' That  would  be  quite  true,  Air.  Rodney,"  answered 
Seruton  ;  "and,  thon^di  I  say  it  niyselt",  you  eouldn't  be 
in  b<'ttei'  hands  than  mint!  if  I  had  either  eoin|)ass,  sun, 
or  star;  but  you  ini;^ht  as  soon  expeet  a  blind  man  to 
find  his  way  across  the  great  desert,  as  tor  the  beat 
pilot  to  steer  without  God's  ligl»t  or  man's  contriv- 
ances." 

*'  The  sun,"  observed  tlie  schoolmaster,  dreanuly, 
"rises  in  the  cast,  and  the  poh'-star  in  the  north." 

"Thank  ye,  master,"  said  Dick;  "but  it  doesn't  take 
book-larning  to  tell  that.  An;  yt;  up  to  giving  us  an 
inkling  how  we're  to  steer  in  a  fog?" 

"Wouldn't  we  bettlier  be  waitin' quiet,"  answered  the 
old  man,  "till  the  Almighty  himself  houhls  out  a  light 
to  us?" 

"The  man's  no  fool,"  said  Seruton.  "  We  must  come 
to  anchor,  Marlin." 

"  Anchor  it  is,  captain,"  re[)lied  Dick  ;  "  and  dowly 
work  it  is.  It's  bad  fighting  again  a  storm  and  a  dead 
calm,  all  at  once." 

"  I  cannot  remain  at  anchor,"  said  Harold.  "  Come 
along,  boys,  who'll  volunteer  to  try  and  recover  our 
trail  ?  At  all  events,  employmejit  is  better  for  us  than 
this  dull  lounging  in  the  rain.  Our  best  plan  will  be  to 
stretch  off  to  four  points." 

Thereupon,  Mike,  William,  Dick,  and  Harold  him- 
self, started  off  over  the  wet  grass  towards  opposite 
points,  examining  the  ground  to  the  right  and  the  left 
as  they  went  on.  John  was  rejected ;  because  his  mas- 
ter  declared   that  he  wa.-'   not  hawk-eyed;    but    Kllen, 


^! 


i;  ' 


856 


TIIIO    liKAU-lIUNTKIlrt 


\:- 


'  1  t 

1'  « 


I'l. 


Pat,  and  Ilalmoe  made  short  excursions  of  their  own 
accord,  and  one  after  another  returned  unsuccessful, 
the  levelled  grass  ballling  all  search.  In  the  mean  time 
the  buckets  were  again  filled,  for  though  tht;  rain  wjui 
not  so  heavy  as  at  first,  it  was  incessant,  and  they  soon 
poured  into  the  bag  an  abundant  supply  of  water  for 
future  need. 


:]''. 


OK    rilK    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS 


357 


CHAPTER    XXXI. 

Unmiore««fu\  Rcucnrchcs.  —  Pat's  Rib.  —  A  Si^'it  of  tlin  Sua  — Th« 
Ni^fit  Owl.  —  Tlie  Vengt'atice  of  tlie  iridiaiiH.  —  A  tcrril»le  Pur- 
suer. —  A  merciful  Dutivcrance. 


All  tlie  parfy  now  coinplaiiuHl  of  lui!);i;or,  and  the 
women  had  tried  for  hours  to  ligiit  a  lire  tnidcr  the 
shelter  of  the  bufrilo-skin,  stretched  over  the  poles  of 
the  litter;  but  as  they  could  not  meet  with  dry  grass, 
every  effort  was  fruitless,  —  they  only  wasted  matches. 
Then  they  tried  to  eut  the  dried  meat  uncooked ;  hut 
few  could  endure  ft,  and  the  women  and  old  man  could 
not  even  ma-ticate  the  hard,  tough  flesh.  The  ex- 
plorers, after  some  hours*  absence,  returned  sad  and 
disappointed.  They  had  been  unable  to  discover  even 
a  broken  straw  to  indicate  the  track  they  had  j)assed. 
But,  as  no  situation  could  be  more  miserable  than  their 
present  cheerless  encampment,  they  agreed  to  march 
forward  in  a  straight  direction,  next  morning,  to  escape, 
if  possible,  from  the  desert.  The  hours  passed  slowly, 
and  the  fog  deepened  into  darkness,  without  any  relax- 
ation  )f  the  rain. 

Worn  with  anxiety  and  watchfulness,  they  all  slept, 
but  woke  shivering  and  unrefreshed,  to  look  on  the  wi'le 
wa-ite  and  the  gray  sky,  still  uncheered  by  a  ray  or  sun, 
though  the  rain  had  ceased.  Once  more  they  att  Mvipted 
to  raise  a  fire,  Pat  and  Mike  setting  out  to  sean  i;  tuider 
the  grass  for  any  dried  remains  of  a  former  cr^p  that 


358 


TIIK    HKAit-lIUNTKUS 


|4h' 


< 


Illy '  i 


might  ha  coaxc'd  to  burn.  Tlioy  \u\i]  not  been  long 
f mf)loye(i  bcforo  a  loud  ■  iiout  from  the  younger  hoy  was 
heard,  and  Harold  i)lung(!d  through  the  wet  grass  to 
ascertain  the  cause  oi'  the  cry. 

"  Sure,  isn't    it  my  own  rib,  yer  honner?"  cried  Pat 
"And  wa.sn't  I  coniin'  on  it  myself?     And  me  losin'  it 
in  the  rain ;    and  didn't   Will    himself   be  wantin'  thi.'* 
same  to  shape  into  a  spoon?     Wouldn't  it  be  altogether 
good  luck  1  was  losin'  it  nmsha?" 

It  was  really  good  luck,  for  the  huge  bare  buffal';  rib 
was  a  plain  indication  of  the  |)ath  they  had  come  over; 
and  leaving  it  as  a  starting-place,  they  now  turn<'d  their 
faces  from  it  with  renewed  hopes,  in  the  misty  direction 
which  they  trusted  must  be  due  ea^t,  and  deferred  their 
breakfast  in  the  anxiety  to  escape  from  tht.ir  melancholy 
encamj)ment.  'i'hey  carefully  ke|)t  on  in  a  straight 
course  through  the  wet  grass,  in  which  their  feet  became 
constantly  Ciitangled,  and  progressed  slowly  from  the 
miserable  spot  where  they  had  suffered  so  much. 

After  walking  for  an  hour,  a  faint  light  m  the  horizon 
before  them  confirmed  them  in  the  convict iwu  that  they 
were  really  proceedii.g  to  the  ea>t.  Gradually  the  sun 
broke  from  tlie  clojds,  vaj)ors  rose  from  the  damp  grass, 
and  before  noonday  they  were  subdued  by  the  scorching 
heat,  and  glad  to  shelter  amidst  the  already  erect  green 
gF'ass ;  and  once  more  to  eat  cooked  meat,  and  rest  and 
sleep  till  the  fervid  heat  of  mido  ly  was  past.  The  air 
hail  now  Ix'come  fresh  and  delicious,  and  though  the 
sameness  of  the  scene  continued,  hoj>e  urged  them  to 
great  efforts;  as  soon  they  would  have  little  more  than 
the  water-bags  to  encumber  them,  for  the  bu.salo  meat 
wee  nearly  exhausted,  and  though  the  prai.^ie  birds  were 
skimming  over  tlu;  gras.5,  they  were  unwilling  to  expend 


izon 
icy 

•iiss, 
ling 
•een 
ami 
air 
the 
h  to 
lian 

Lu'Ut 

lt;ro 
lend 


OF    Tlir,    IIOCKV    MOUNTAINS. 


359 


ammul  ilion  on  those  pmiill  creatures.  Therefore  they 
continued  for  two  days  longer  to  suksist  on  the  tastele.-;s, 
hard,  dried  meat,  and  the  water,  now  warm,  and  tainted 
by  the  ill-cured  leatiier  bag  in  which  it  was  contained. 
Tiien  the  iiour  of  destitution  arrived;  and  on  tiie  ensu- 
ing night  th«;y  lay  d  )wn  to  sleep  supperUiss  and  sad. 
As  Harold  hiy  sleeplcssly  ruminating  on  their  very  un- 
ph'asant  situation,  he  suddenly  cried  out  to  his  friend, 

-"  Ivoduey,  1  am  at  a  loss  to  know 


wno  was  near  mm 


where  those  noisy  owls  can  build.  I  have  never  heard 
before  owls  iiooting  in  a  barren  wilderness,  and  I  cannot 
understand  it." 

Tliey  listened,  and  were  convinced  that  owls  actually 
haunted  the  spot,  for  the  iKtoling  arose  in  (lilU-rent 
places.  It  was  a  >\\\\,  beautilul  ni;:lit  ;  and  though 
neither  moon  nor  stars  were  visible  at  that  season,  it 
was  decidedly  not  dark. 

*' I  would  not  have  scrujded  to  have  made  a  sliot  at 


tne  nois 


}' 


bird? 


aiil   Harold,  "  if  we  could  have  made 


a  breakfast  on  the-m  ;  but  to  eat  an  owl  must  reipiire  a 
needy  appetite  and  a  strong  stomaeh.  What  can  induce 
tlwm  to  iiaunt  this  barren  spot?" 


"  I  .-uspect,"  said  Uodney,  "  that  field-mice  and  other 
small  rodents  nmst  infest  the  roots  of  the  grass;  and  on 
these  animals  it  is  probable  our  hooting  neiglil)ors  make 
their  nocturnal  ba,;(pjets." 

"  Jirother  Harold,"  whispered  a  low,  gentle  voice, 
"  do  you  hear  that  strange  cry  ?  llahnee  sends  me  to 
tell  you  to  load  your  gun,  and  watch,  for  that  is  the 
signal  of  the  Indian  spies,  who  are  telling  each  other 
that  unwary  sle<'pers  are  here  ;  and,  if  you  are  not  very 
?>old,  Ilalinee  says  U\ey  will  come  craftily,  and  take  alJ 
our  8(;ali)s." 


m\ 


ij'i; 


m 


m 


i- 

^ 

^         -1 

1.    J 

\ 

T:     i 

t. 

j' 

1 

\ 

;  1! 

r'      1 

860 


THE  ijkar-iiunti:k» 


"  But  I  sun  very  bold,  my  dear  little  Ellon,"  replied 
Harold ;  "  and  these  wretches  shall  not  Hcalp  your 
pretty  head.  We  must  call  Hahnee  into  council, 
Rodney." 

"Is  it  worth  while?"  answered  Rouney.  "Our 
people  are  all  much  fatigued  ;  ought  we  to  rouse  thera 
from  their  sleep  at  the  fanciful  alarms  of  the  Indian 
woman  ?  I  am  tolerably  well  versed  in  the  notes  of  the 
feathered  tribes,  and  I  [jronounce  the  cries  to  be  those 
of  the  common  nigiit-owl." 

"  But  the  cry  varies,  Rodney,"  said  Harold.  "  It  is 
actually  a  language ;  the  notes  and  inflections  are 
changed  at  each  successive  hoot.  This  is  certainly 
suspicious." 

"  Tlie  male  and  female  hoot  in  different  keys,"  said 
Rodney.  "  But  see,  that  energetic  girl  is  bringing  the 
Indian ;  so  we  may  as  well  listen  to  her  explana- 
tion." 

"  Hark ! "  whispered  Hahnee,  in  a  low  voice  of 
terror.  "  Bad  Sioux  man  come  for  scalp.  He  say, 
*  Many  pale-face  sleep  here  quiet ;  come  away,  many 
brave !  Come,  take  scali),  take  fine  robe,  lake  slave 
Hahnee,  and  pretty  White  Dove.*  Pale-face  tink  he 
hear  night-bird;  Hahnee  hear  Sioux  word." 

There  was  so  much  probability  in  Hahnee's  convic- 
tion that  they  were  watched  by  some  wandering  tribe 
that  all  became  armed,  and  were  soon  assembled  quietly 
to  consult  on  the  steps  they  should  take.  They  had 
certainly  little  *o  lose  except  life  or  liberty  ;  but  these 
possessions  were  too  precious  to  be  lightly  regarded. 

**  Considering  our  poverty,"  said  ]\Ir.  Rodney,  "  it 
does  seem  madness  in  the  wretches  to  risk  their  own 
lives   merely  to  obtain  our  scalps.     But  there  is  cer- 


or  Tur,  uocKY  mountains. 


;{(;i 


IC- 

Kbe 
3tly 
liad 

lese 

ki 

Iwn 
ler- 


taiiily  no  accounting  for  the  dopraverl  taste  of  thj  sav- 
age.    What  must  we  do,  Hahnee  ?  " 

"  Shoot  gun  at  bad  night-bird,"  answered  she,  quickly. 
"  Make  him  fly  awj:y." 

The  advice  appeared  sage  :  all  the  guns  were  made 
nady,  and  they  listened  for  the  next  hooting  which 
they  were  now  convinced  proceeded  from  the  grass, 
and  was  much  nearer  to  them  than  at  first ;  and  as 
soon  as  they  had  marked  the  spot,  they  all  fired.  A  yell 
followed;  then  a  dark  figure  sprang  up  and  bounding 
through  the  grass  fl»'d  towards  the  north.  No  more 
hooting  was  heard  ;  but  the  travellers  had  no  longer 
any  wish  to  remain  on  the  spot  ;  they  resumed  their 
march  without  delay,  and,  favored  by  the  cool  and 
calm  night,  accomplished  four  or  five  miles  before  day 
broke,  to  show  them  the  usual  monotonous  prospect ; 
and  they  looked  round  in  vain  for  animal,  fruit,  or  herb 
for  food. 

"  Musha !  boys,"  cried  Pat ;  "  it's  myself  will  be 
ladin'  ye  to  some  illigant  nettles ;  and  wouldn't  I  be 
bringin*  them,  av  they'd  behaved  betther,  and  not  be 
stingin*  me,"  showing  his  blistered  fingers. 

The  report  of  this  discovery  was  not  rapturously 
welcomed  by  the  English ;  but  the  poor  Irish,  not 
unacquainted  with  the  resources  of  a  nettle  diet, 
gladly  set  out,  with  a  large  bucket,  to  cut  down  the 
nettles  and  returned  with  an  abundant  supply.  As  the 
little  water  remaining  in  the  bag  was  now  totally  unfit 
to  drink,  it  was  poured  over  the  nettles ;  the  bucket  was 
suspended  over  a  fire  of  grass,  and  albwed  to  remain 
till  the  leaves  were  reduced  to  a  pulp,  or,  in  the  tech- 
nical language  of  cookery,  to  a  puree ;  and  thia   mess, 

lerved  on  the  wicker  platters,  and  eaten  with  bone  chop- 

31 


I 


'  'i.T ' 


362 


TIIK    IJKAU-IIl  NTKKS 


11^., 


Sticks,  (lelusivi'ly  named  spoons,  formed  the  novel  and 
very  unsiihstaiitijil  breakfast. 

"  Wliat  a  strange  smell,"  observ(;d  INIrs.  Avondale; 
"I  cannot  accomit  for  it,  as  the  air  is  far  from  sultry  ; 
tiiere  is  even  a  li;:Iit  bn^eze,  yet  there  is  someiliing 
around  us  overpowering  and  stifling." 

"  Wouldn't  it  be  the  greens,  niaiiam,"  said  Mary. 
"  Sure,  it's  not  use  to  them  you'll  be.  It's  we  that 
had  to  mak(»  our  males  on  nettles,  and  be  thankin'  God 
that  was  givin'  us  them  same,  when  betthcr  nor  us  were 
down  in  the  famine  and  the  faver.  Traise  God  for  His 
mercy." 

"  Amen,  my  good  girl,"  answered  Mrs.  Avondale  ; 
"but  it  is  not  the  sm«dl  of  the  cookery  that  affects  me 
to  strangely.     It  might  be  the  fire;  yet  that  is  extin- 


g 


uis 


bed 


now. 


"  Would  yon  be  the  fog  oomin'  on  us  agin,"  cried  Pat. 
**  Sure,  thin,  wouMn't  we  be  setlin'  up  a  guide-post, 
Bcein'  we'll,  may-be,  all  be  lost  agin." 


(( 


good    pn.'caution,  my  i)oy 


aid    i\Ir.   Rodney 


*'  but  I  see  no  appearance  of  fog.  What  is  your  oj)inion, 
Harold?  you  look  anxious." 

"  It  is  no  fog  ;  it  is  smoke,"  replied  he.  "  Do  notice 
that  dusky-gray  line  along  t!ie  horizon,  as  far  Jis  the  eye 
can  reach,  Rodney  ;  I  feel  certain  that  is  smoke.  1 
enudl  it  now  myself,  Mrs.  Avondale." 

"I  fancy  it  is  nothing  inor«(  than  a  cloud  which  is 
Blwui  to  s|)read  over  us,  and  give  us  another  drenching," 
Baid  Rodney. 

"  l\iv.  Crofton  is  right,"  said  Mrs.  Avondale,  showing 
a  V'/iiite  liandkerchief,  on  which  a  liglit  deposit  of 
tiMRat  impt  rceptilde  b!  uik  du^t  lay.  "  Sea,  tlie  ashes 
6v,  ttl:va(ly  eAtcnding  lo  us;  it  is  a  prairie  fire  behind 


UK   nii;   i;ucKV  .moiniains. 


3G3 


^t, 


(Mi, 


70 


IS 

loi' 
lien 
ind 


1:8,  probably  kiiulled  by  the  lualico  of  the  lUsappoiuted 
marau(h'rs,  tor  the  purpose  of  overtakin;^  us;  iur  the 
will  I  whiolj  brouy:ht  this  dust  will  certainly  brin^  tite 
lire.     Let  us  not  dehiy  our  flight." 

"  My  dear  iSIadaiu,"  said  Mr.  Kodiif  y,  "  though  I  aui 
not  acCiistonied  to  ealeuhite  prairie  disiaiiees,  I  should 
pronounce  the  fire,  if  fire  it  really  Ix',  to  be  six  or  ei;^hl 
miles  from  us;  and  the  lire  kindled  by  th'-  hand  of  nuui 
does  aot  speed  with  the  same   velocity  as   God's  light- 


nm; 


And    yet.   1    tell    you,    JMr.    liodncy,"  nplicd    si 


le 


**thut  if  we  cannot  avoid  the  track  of  that  fire,  it 
must  overtake  ^  >a  an  iiour  or  two.  The  Indians, 
when  thus  .«urpr*sed,  usually  li;i:ht  an  opposin;^  fire; 
that  is,  they  draw  back,  and  fire  the  grass  tbrwar<l, 
till  a  space  is  cleared  on  which  they  can  safely  remain 
as  the  advancin;^  (lames  will  b(!  turned  aside  for  want  of 
fuel." 

"  Hut  that  would  be  literally  plaoin;^;  our  e!v(!s  be- 
tween tv.;   fires,  madam,"  said  Mr.  Uodney. 

"Undoubtedly  it  would,"  replied  Mrs.  /  ondale : 
**yet  with    perfect    safety;  for  we    should    tl         attain 


8Cor( 


the 
cleared. 


hed 


anc 


1    ba 


rren    ground    we    had      urselves 


"Cleared    by  sending  the  destroying  fin    .»n    beforfl 


us. 


sai 


d    Harold,  "to    distress    and    injiut     others 


its 


we  have    been  distressed.      It  would    b 


•lfi>I 


1    ami 


CO  war 


dly 


nua-urc,  I  thiid;;  and  we  should  d«  serve  ll 


the  wind  should  veer  lound,  and  tui'n   the   n.ischief 


nil 
on 


ou 


r   own    heads.      Let    us     rather    move    onwards     ah 


quickly  as  we  cati.     Tht.'re  is  no  disgra-Mi,  my  boys, 
ruiming  away  from  an  enemy  like  fire." 


in 


Surt",  ik'ver    a  bit,  yer  honner,"  !«ai(l    Jtlike  ;  "  uid 


'ipf  I 


I  i 

'i  1 


364 


TIIK    BKAK-miNTKKS 


wouldn't  it  bo  luck  av  wo  wero  comin'  on  a  corner  to 
turn  away  from  it  altogether?"  Not  j)utting  much 
faith  in  the  chance  of  turning  a  isomer,  they  marched 
forward  with  all  speed,  pausing  only  to  take  breath 
mid  cast  apprehensive  glances  behind  them.  Soon  the 
sraoke  appeared  more  dense  and  dark ;  and  below  it, 
a  long  red  line  unmistakably  denoted  the  coming  con- 
flagration. 

"  Will  it  be  fire,  thin  !  "  cried  Peggy.  "  Lord,  have 
mercy  on  us!  Sure,  wont  it  be  a  bad  ind  we'll  be 
raakin'  to  be  burnt  up  alive,  and  niver  dacently  buried 
and  waked,  like  Christians.  Ochone !  my  darlings! 
why  were  we  comin'  among  haythens,  that  have  no 
more  sinse  than  to  be  burn  in'  up  their  own  illegant 
meadows,  and  niver  throublin'  to  make  them  into  hay 
at  all." 

As  they  attained  each  little  rising  ground,  the 
breathless  travellers  looked  anxiously  forward  for  some 
refuge,  or  some  break  in  the  tall  grass,  which  supplied 
incessant  fuel  to  the  flames,  the  heat  of  which  first 
withered  and  dried,  and  then  devoured  it. 

"  I'd  have  liked  a  better  look-out,  captain,"  said 
Dick ;  "  but  if  I'd  my  sea  eyes  on,  I'd  pipe  out,  '  Land, 
ho ! '  as  I  make  't  out  yonder  away.  Them  green 
bushes  stretch  out  like  a  reef,  and  likely  we'll  be  falling 
in  with  a  new  country." 

It  was  true  that,  towards  the  north-east,  a  dark 
line  indicated  the  preseiK  e  of  the  trees  or  bushes. 
Where  trees  grew,  water  could  not  be  far  distant,  and 
they  went  on,  with  renewed  vigor,  in  the  hope  of 
placing  an  effectual  barrier  between  ihe  dreaded  fire 
and  themselves.  But  ever,  as  they  looked  back,  they 
u\w    the    lurid,    blood-red    wall    of  fire,   approaching 


ft 


OF    THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


365 


nearer  to  them ;  they  could  even  hear,  in  ihe  dreary 
stillness  of  the  prairie,  a  rushing  sound,  us  il'  an  army 
were  on  their  track. 

Another  quarter  of  an  hour  of  toil  and  terror  passed, 
and  now  they  already  felt  the  oppressive  heat  of  the 
awful  conflagra*'on  behind  them,  and  looked  back 
feai'fuUy  on  the  flames  shooting  up  in  lofty  columns  of 
fire,  and  crowned  by  a  dark  cloud  of  smoke.  The 
dried  grass  crackled  in  consuming,  and  black  particlea 
flew  half  a  mile  in  advance,  to  fall  in  showers  on  the 
despairing  fugitives;  while  the  prairie  birds,  driven 
from  their  nests,  but  with  happier  facility  to  escape, 
whirred  past  them ;  and  the  gaunt  and  howling  prairie 
wolves,  regardless  of  the;  presence  of  their  natural  foe, 
man,  fled  wildly  before  a  still  more  fc  mid  'ble  enemy. 

"  Speed  onward,  my  child,"  cried  Idvfi.  Avondale ; 
"your  step  is  light;  yon  green  belt  may  skirt  some 
stream  or  stony  hollow  that  may  turn  away  tlu^  flames. 
Let  none  delay;  relinquish  the  litter,  my  kind  friends. 
I  will  endeavor  to  walk,  or,  as  I  am  content  to  die  if 
it  be  God's  will,  let  me  not  impede  and  endanger  you 
all." 

But  no  one  listened  to  her ;  John  and  Dick,  the  bear- 
ers, scoffed  at  the  idea  of  the  litter  being  an  impedi- 
ment, and  trotted  along  with  their  light  burden  unmur- 
muringly.  Ellen  and  Pat  raced  forward  with  raj)id 
steps  ;  Mike  and  William  sup{)orted  Peggy  and  Mary, 
whose  progress  was  retarded  by  terror  rather  than 
weakness.  Dennis  alone  seemed  utterly  to  despair  :  he 
staggered,  groaned,  muttered  prayers  and  lamentations, 
and  finally  they  saw  that  they  must  assist  or  abandon 
him. 

"  Here,  master,"  said  Dick  to  Harold,  "you're  strong 

81* 


fm' 


UG 


THi:    HKAINIirNTKKS 


'M  *l 


mid  ul)l<' ;  It'll. 1  a  hand  to  iiruve  aloii<^  this  liainiiiock, 
and  I'll  tow  tlie  cra/y  old  ciaf'l.  I'd  nivcr  l>e  li«*  >i»» 
would  (K'sert  a  sail  in  distress.  Y(5  s«'e,  lie  drifts  about 
like  a  disabled  imlk,  and  needs  a  pilot." 

Harold  willin^^ly  took  the  poles  of  the  litter,  and 
1)i<  k  ean;j;lit  up  th(;  old  miui,  placed  him  on  his  shoul- 
ders, and  then  ran  on  with  his  helpless  burden,  satisfied 
that  he  was  only  doing  his  duty.  By  this  time  tin;  two 
children  had  disa|)peared  b(diind  the  K>w  ^^rern  bushe->, 
which  were  now  not  mon*  than  thi'ec  liuiidrcd  yartls  b«*- 
fore  the.. I,  and  it  was  hoped  they  mi;j^ht  be  out  of  dan 
ger ;  but  the  uneeasin;^  and  over|)owtrin;jf  heat,  and  the 
stifling  smoke,  filled  the  rest  with  a  sperrhless  horror 
and  dread  of  the  impending  awful  deaih  by  lire. 
Scarcely  danW  they  look  back  on  that  devouring  confla- 
gration, which  roared  its  threatening-,  as  they  thought, 
clos(!  to  their  ears  ;  and  though  they  fled  on  niechtuii- 
cally,  they  no  long<ir  dared  to  hoj)«i ;  and  the  scorching, 
auffbealli  5    atmosphere    prevented    them    from    speak- 


ing. 


Suddenly  they  wen;  roused  by  a  shout,  and  saw  Pat 
and  K'len  waving  their  hands,  and  heard  them  cry  out, 
"  Faster,  faster  !  \Vat(!r !  water!  "  and  at  that  glad  cry 
all  were  nerved  with  new  strength,  and  fled  despfjratcdy 
on.  Even  Hal  nee,  who  till  row  had  refjsed  to  leave 
the  side  of  her  beloved  mistress,  darted  forward  with 
the  speed  of  lightning  to  the  bushes,  and  tore  them 
down  with  her  hands,  to  make  a  road  for  the  rest  of  the 
fugitives,  who  folio wi'd  rapidly.  Already  had  some 
reacheil  the  blessed  refuge,  when  a  cry  behind  startled 
them,  and  th(!y  saw  that  Captain  Scruton,  entangled  in 
the  long  grass,  h;;d  fallen,  and  tlu;  flames  were  actually 
within    tt   few   yards   of    him.     Rodney    and    AVilliaui 


OF    Tlir.    UOCKY    MOKNTAINS. 


3rt7 


rnslM'il  lta«'k  to  liiiii,  mikI  siiiitcliinfjj  liiin  up  bctwren 
them,  tlu'y  di'cw  him  olV,  and  >ii('('('('(1«mI  in  rciuirm'.'j  the 
barrier  with  their  hair  scoitIkmI  ami  tln'ir  i-yi^.s  sinarling 
with  the  >inok«'  and  aslios. 

Then  all  passinjij  through  tho  hn<h<M  ami  willows  into 
a  ravine,  they  saw  with  deli<^ht  a  hioad  thonnrji  not  deep 
river  flowing  south-east.  As  they  reached  the  water, 
the  hri^.'jiit-iT'd  fhnnes  (•an;j:ht  the  hushes  ahov«',  and 
hiazed  up  majestically  ;  hut  lurtiitiately,  hetween  the 
river  and  tla-se  tree^  was  interposed  a  hed  of  rri;i\,.IIy 
stones,  which  cut  ofVthe  [)ro^i'ess  of  the  desli-uctiv c  <'le- 
ment.  lint  unahle  to  endnn-  lh(«  heat  and  tim  smoke, 
they  all  jjlun^'ed  into  l\\o.  cool  water,  and  wad»'d  across 
tlie  river  hef'orc  they  ventured  to  turn  round  and  <;a/e 
on  the  majjnlficent  and  fearful  conflas^ration  ;  tin,'  hlaz- 
inji'  fra<;ments  of  the  shiMVelled  ;;reen  hranehes  w<'re 
east  over  tiie  river,  and  fell  around  them  ;  hut  they 
carefully  extinguished  them,  that  the;  devastation  might 
spread  no  further. 

"  Is  it  dunih  ye  all  are?"  said  Dennis,  in  a  I'epioach- 
ful  tone  ;  ''  thin,  what  for  are  ye  silent,  whin  ye  .-hould 
be  sending  up  your  thanks  to  Him  wIjo  lias  brought  us 
from  a  land  of  flaming  fire,  and  set  us  down  hv  the 
pleasant  waters.  Wiiat  are  we  that  lie  should  put  forth 
His  hand  to  save  us.  Have  ye  none  of  your  grand 
words  in  the  fine  ould  Latin,  Mr.  Rodnev.  Sure,  isn't 
that  the  nohle  tongue  for  praising  th(^  Lord." 

Mr.  R(»dney  was  lost  in  contemplation  of  the  terrible 
scene,  and  the  thoughts  it  suggested  broke  out  in  the 
words  of  the  nohle  hymn,  Dies  Ira*. 

*'  If  this  be  terrible,"  said  Mrs.  Avondah', "  wiiat  will 
it  be,  tluM), — 


I] 


'  !l!      I 


868  THE    BKAK-IIUNTKRS 

That  Any  of  wrntli,  that  (In-adful  day  I 
When  Heaven  and  Earth  shall  jians  awuy  ?  •  ** 

Bowing  down  their  heads  in  penitence  and  tears,  the 
pratefnl  people  united  in  holy  and  sincere  thanksgiving 
ibr  their  deliverance. 


:?' 


s 


i! 


■mw 


;  1 


or    THK    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


369 


CHAPTER    XXXTI. 

Beyond  the  River.  —  The  Footst<(ii  on  the  .Shore.  Project  oft  C». 
no«. —  Fat's  Discovery  «»f  the  larjfo  Ne»t.  —  Two  Strani;cr8  in  th« 
Wood.  — The  Trapper'n  Hut.  —  Arncliflc's  Ill-fortune. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  Ihimea  no  lonj^er  finilin;^  fuel  in 
the  direct  eourst'  of  the  wind,  turned  a^v.ly  along  th.i 
line  of  bushes,  sou(h-<'ast;  and  in  a  short  tinic  the 
eliarred  and  smoking  iieni  of  ashc-s  alone  remaitied  to 
mark  the  track  of  the  fire;  and  no  longer  in  danger, 
the  travellers  recrossed  the  river  which  they  now  tbund 
more  diHicult  than  at  lirst. 

"  CrosM  I  nnj>t,"  said  Captain  Seruton,  "  to  see  lh.\t 
all  is  now  in  safety  ;  but  I  aiu  crippled.  I  scarcely  re,- 
ali/ed  the  fact  at  tirst ;  but  my  ancle  had  been  twisted 
in  that  awkward  fail  aniong  the  knotted  grass ;  and  I 
must  have  a  jury-leg,  or  I  shall  never  get  on." 

"  TlM^re's  never  a  spar  to  rig  one  out,  cajit'iin,"  said 
Dick,  "or  I'd  be  the  man  to  build  it  to  order." 

A  shallow  ford  at  a  little  distance  enabled  all  to  cross 
conveniently.  Mike  and  William  carried  Pat  and 
Ellen ;  Peggy  and  Mary  took  off  lioes  and  stooKmgs 
this  time,  and  waded  boldly  through  two-feet-de<'p 
water;  and  the  strong  assisted  in  carrying  over  the 
weak,  that  all  might  look  on  the  scene  of  their  peril. 
The  bright  sun  -hone  over  a  black  find  barren  wilder- 
ness, extending  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reacli,  while  the 
devouring  flames  were  still  hurrying  forwjiid  down  the 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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2.0 


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1.6 

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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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s 


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370 


TIIK    BF:Ai;-Mt  NTF.KS 


it ' 


banks  of  the  river,  raarking  their  path  with  utter  deso- 
lation. 

"It  was  useless  coming  back  to  tliis  horrible  spot," 
Raid  Harold.  "  What  in  the  world  should  we  do  here  ? 
We  do  not  want  to  travel  north,  and  it  would  be  mad- 
ness to  follow  the  fii'e,  exposed  to  the  noonday  sun  and 
the  famine  of  the  wildern.ss.  AYe  must  return  to  the 
opposite  banks." 

It  was  but  another  plunge  and  struggle,  and  fortu- 
nately the  ground  was  le^el,  and  the  river  not  rapid, 
and  they  were  soon  seated  beneath  some  green  droop- 
ing willows.  Mike  reported  that  the  river  was  swarm- 
ing with  large  fish  ;  willow  branches  were  lopjied  for 
rods,  the  fishing-hooks,  being  personal  appendages, 
had  happily  been  preserved  in  their  pockets  in  tlu 
wreck  of  the  stores,  and  were  now  in  i^equisition. 
They  s})eedily  caught  abundance  of  excellent  white  fi>h» 
and  fuel  b(;ing  plentiful,  a  fire  was  raised,  as  all  i\\>- 
peared  perfectly  quiet.  Though  the  wide  prairie  still 
lay  stretched  before  them,  the  gi*ound  appeared  more 
agreeably  varied;  clumps  of  trees,  and  thick(^ts  of  low 
bushes  ap])cared  here  and  there,  and  (he  vegetation 
was  so  much  more  brilliant  in  coloring,  that  Mr.  Ivod- 
ney  felt  assured  that  they  mu,--t  be  enteiing  a  richer  and 
better-watered  region. 

"  This  does  not  look  like  iamine,  Harold,"  said  he  ; 
"and  if  we  ran  find  a  tolerabiy  secluded  spot  for  our 
encam[)ment,  it  would  be  advisal)le  to  rest  here  for  a 
few  day,-,  that  we  may  attend  to  Scruton's  ankle, 
for  it  would  never  do  to  set  out  aiiain  with  more 
invalids." 

The  fish,  broiled  over  the  fire  by  the  side  of  the  river 
was  heartily  enjoyed;  tl. en  Scruton's  ankle  was  bathed 


CF    TOE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


371 


|ie  ; 

a 
.!«, 
l)re 

ler 
led 


and  bandaged;  and  tlio  wrary  lay  down  to  ivsf  wliile 
the  young  and  active  looked  cuiiou>ly  lonnd  the  new 
couiitry.  Wliile  the  ehildren  wej'e  busy  searching 
for  flowers  and  eggs,  the  young  men  K)oked  for  the 
track  of  animals,  Harold  paused  belbn;  a  sloping  bank, 
which  was  bare  of  grass,  and  bore  the  marks  of  hoofs, 
and  examined  them  closely.  "  Call  Ilahnee,  Mike," 
said  he;  ^I  can't  understand  this  trail." 

Ilahnee  understood  it  immediately,  and  sjiid,  "  Dis 
pale-face  moccasin,  j»ale-face  trail,"  and  she  pointed  to 
the  boots  which  Harold  woi-e,  to  compare  thi-m,  nnich 
to  his  disgust,  with  the  huge  clumsy  fbotmai-k  on  the 
soil;  and  he  suggested  to  the  woman  that  this  was  the 
step  of  an  Indian.  "No!  no!"  j)ersi;;led  Hahnee. 
"  No  red-skin  come  with  pale  brudda."  And  they 
could  not  doubt  her  sagacity. 

Still  there  was  an  uneasy  suspicion  among  the 
travellers  that  some  wandering  scalp-lnmting  tribe 
might  be  near,  and  they  hastened  to  prepare  their  arms 
for  defence.  William  still  lingered  ricar  the  trail,  and 
endeavored  to  follow  it,  but  he  was  not  skilled  in  this 
keen  and  delicate  craft,  and  he  soon  lost  the  traces,  and 
returned  to  the  camp  disappointed. 

*'  I  had  hoped,  Mr.  Rodney,"  said  he,  "  that  we  might 
have  come  on  the  track  of"  my  unfijrtunate  father." 

"  God  forbid,"  muttered  Dick  to  Harold.  "  We're  a 
deal  better  without  that  unlucky  bird  auiang  us  again. 
And  if  it  were  to  be  he,  I'se  warrant  we  lind  him  in 
bad  company." 

There  were  more  that  lieM  the  same  suspicion,  but 
Dick  changed  the  subject  by  saying  to  Mr.  Rodney, 
*'  You're  a  good  bit  book-larned,  sir,  and  may -be  you  can 
tell  how  fa'*  this  here  river  has  to  run  afore  it  comes  to 


L  i  •■ 


372 


TMF.    nKAK-lU'NTI  KR 


P-V  !•     ' 


5 

,r 

!J 

' 

' 

1 

;  i 

1        ' 


!k, 

■if  ■ 


its  n.'ifurnl  end,  mikI  wIicIIkm-  it  would  lie  woiMli  our  uliile 
to  ri};  up  a  l>i(  crari  ajz-'iiii  as  \v(\)il(l  luu  ddwii  caiMiy  ; 
you  S('<'  it  would  stiil  flictti  hands  ms  is  sick  ;ind  oil'  work, 

randy." 

"This  is  HM'tainly  not  otu:  of  llic  |)riiu'i|>al  navii;al)le 
rivors,"  auswcrcd  ]Mr.  Kodiu>y ;  "hut  prohjihly  it  will 
join  tlu>  riatlc,  or  oiu'  of  the  lai'^c  i-ivcrs  wlii(di  event- 
ually fall  into  the  Missouri.  It  woidd  he  an  admirahle 
plan  to  navigate  it,  ii'  it  w<M'e  j>ra('tieahl('." 

"  It  would  take  a  hit  of  time  to  hollow  out  a  eauoe," 
said  Diek,  U>okiiii:;  anxiously  round  for  his  tiuiher; 
*' but  WH^'ve  hands  and  tools;  and  onee  ;j:('I  hrr  launched, 
I'se  he    hoiuid    to   carry  her    ri^iht,   hiirriu'j;    fulls,  and 


U'l 


raj)ids.  and  shoal-water  that  we  may  fall  in  with,  seei 
we've  never  a  chart  to  steer  hy." 

"  A  canoe  if  is  ISIarlin,"  said  Ca[)tain  Scrul(Mi.  "  If 
we'd  only  had  the  prud(Mice  to  rio;  up  a  canoe  tor  cross- 
injjj  that  sfraiiire  river,  we  miirln  have  saved  our  f"rei_<j;ht. 
AVe  can  nc^'er  expect  fo  make  })ort  unless  we  set  about 
it  on  a  rej^ular  plan.  Marlin  may  be  trusted  ;  therefore 
I  vote  that  we  should  nMuain  here,  and  such  gentleiuen 
as  have  taste  for  the  sport  may  hunt  while  the  canoe  is 
building,  in  order  to  victual  it  properly." 

'*  But  T  am  not  satisfitHl  about  that  trail,  Captain 
Scruton,"  said  Harold.  "  If  we  should  go  of!'  on  the 
chase,  and  leave  a  weak  garrison,  wh.at  if  the  Indians 
should  come  down  on  you  ?  " 

'^'  Then  we  must  defend  ourselves  like  Enu,lislunen," 
answered  Scruton.  "  Certainly  we  are  more  exposed 
to  the  guns  of  an  enemy  than  1  like  ;  is  there  no  mode 
of  fortifying  our  camp  ?  or  could  we  not  select  a  better 
jMJsition?" 

"  It  is  worth  consideration,  captain,"  answered  Rod* 


il 


OV    Tlir.    ROCKY    MAINTAINS, 


nya 


nv 


a 


t  ill! 


<'Vrii 


fs,  let 


lis   ninkc,   is  I'Iim-  (lciii()ii>lr;ilii»n 


len, 
rosed 
mode 
letter 

Rod. 


as  jH)ssil)l(;.  Allow  tliiil  (ire  to  di*'  out,  IMiiry,  and  [vy 
{()  subdue  the  clamor  of  lou^in's.  I  don't  see  that 
luiscliicivous  urehiii,  I*al.  Have  you  Ift  liiiii  nm  oil'  to 
Ix^trny  us  ?  " 

"  Is  it  l*atliriek  C'onolly  would  l»e  l)(!llirayiii«i:  yr 
houtier !"  exclaimed  VVfj^'^y  with  iudifijnatioM.  "Suit, 
tliiii,  it's  not  in  th<!  hoy  at  all  !  Wouldn't  he  he  };ivin' 
the  skin  on  his  bones  sakin'  tin*  hirds  and  fh<'  e/^^'s  to 
make  n  male  for  ye  all,  and  he  nivcr  for;^ettin'  if,  and 
blessin'  God  that  ye  were  helpin'  to  save  him  alive  from 
the  say,  an<l  the  miirfherin'  savages,  oehone  !  It's  nivcr 
a  Btej)  of  hethrayin'  is  in  him." 

"  My  dear,  good  woman,"  answered  Mr.  Rodney,  "  fh(^ 
boy  is  not  ungrateful  ;  l)ut  h(^  is  insubordinate,  and 
therefore  lialde  to  error.  lie  has  disobediently  wan- 
dered out  alone;  he  may  be  seen  by  the  Jndians,  and 
the  ca|)tur(!  of  himself,  if  not  the  wIdIc  party,  may  be 
the  consequcnc<'.     Mike,  1  beg  you  to  look  after  him." 


(( 


Will  I  whistle   him  U|)  yer  bonne'?"  asked   Mike. 

Certainly  not,"  replietl  Rodney.  '  Your  head  is  as 
giddy  as  that  of  Pat  himself  Non-;  but  an  Irish  lad 
would  propose  to  whistle  a  signal  within  hearing  of  tiie 
en<'my  from  whom  he  wished  to  be  concealed." 

But  before  Mike  could  set  out,  the  delincpient  was 
seen  to  approacdi  very  leisurrdy,  with  his  eaj),  filled  with 
turkeys'  eggs,  in  his  hand. 

"  Wasn't  I  watehin'  him  a  grcjit  bit,  up  in  the  bij» 
three?"  said  be;  "and  he  gobblin'  away,  and  me 
knowin'  lie'd  be  carryin'  mate  home  to  the  family  in  the 
nest ;  and  sure,  while  I  was  ka[)in'  quiet,  didn't  he  come 
down  and  waddle  sthraight  away,  and  me  craping  under 
the  bushes  afiher  him.     Thin  he  stops  and  looks  round 

32 


:  ■!' 


% 


i 


371 


TUK    IU;AU-m'NTFK« 


' 


ahoiii  liiin,  and  nlvv'i  m'Is  liis  ryvA  on  inc  at  all,  aiul 
stales  like  a  mouse  uiulcr  llie  tliiokcf,  (1m>  llialr  !  and 
iiu»  al'tlicr  liiin  a<;aiii,  and  seeiii'  llie  l»a>le  standi  •.'  \ty 
the  nest  nrA  'lii'in'  the  oidd  niotlicr  lo  he  liavin'  a  walk 
out.  Snre,  aunt,  slu^  was  an  ille;j;;nit  I'owl  !  ami  didn't 
I  wish  she  wen'  rostin',  nuisha  1  Thin  wasn't  I  ra<'hin' 
out  quiet,  lo  knoek  her  down  with  my  shillala ;  and 
worra  sneh  a  hullabaloo  did  the  l)i;jf  fellow  set  up! 
And,  sure,  he  was  hittin'  hard  with  his  htmy  win;j;s,  till 
I  eraj>ed  under  the  hushes  and  shouted  and  dhruv  them 
both  off.  and  me  jietlin'  the  bi^:;  i'fXrIs  in  myeap;  ami 
lookin'  about  lor  another  nest,  and  didn't  I  find  another, 
INIike?  Snre  it  wasn't  a  turkey  nest  at,  all,  oidy  a  bi;^ 
noM,  all  laves  and  bushes,  an<l  a  man's  head  papin'  on!  ! 
Wasn't  \  ruiuiin'  ofV  sharp,  and  he  ni\«'r  scin'  me,  and 
just  kapin'  a  look-out  to  se(>  the  turkeys  uobblin'." 

*' What  does  tiie  bov  mean?"  asked  Mr.  Kodnev. 
"It's  impossibl(>  to  understand  his  rhodomontade." 

"It'll  likely  be  a  bush-hut  he's  seen,  sir,"  said  Diek  ; 
"and  I'd  say  niav-be  shrllcrinir  them  leet  as  had  left 
their  mark  thereaway  nijijh  us." 

*' The  Indians  build  their  hiUs  of  .skins  —  rarely  of 
bonsihs,"  said  Mrs.  Avondale.  "If  the  boy  has  really 
soon  a  hut,  it  may,  providentially,  be  the  abode  of  white 
men.  It  is  desirable  that  a  more  intellij^ent  observer 
bt;  stMit  out." 

"William  and  I  will  go,"  said  Harold;  ''I  will  be 
his  Valor,  e.nd  he  shall  be  mv  Prudence.  Does  that 
eujthuism  s;'.tisiy  you,  my  most  learned  tutor?" 

"1  think,  Harold,  that  you  will  be  more  indebted  to 
William  tor  his  prudenee  than  he  need  be  to  you  for 
your  valor."  answered  Mr.  Rodney  ;  "  hut  it'  Captair 
SiTuton  agree  to  the  plan    1  am  satislied." 


n  t 


III 


IKl 


liU 


Ml 


IKi 


or, 


)ii 


in«i 


cv 


'it 


ot 


lite 


cr 


lUt 


to 
Itbr 


ur 


Of     Till.     Hn(   KV     M<H   N  I  A  I\,"<. 


:i7h 


Vi 


•'  Ii(  I  tlinn  l;ikt'  iirins,"  >ai(l  Scriildii  ;  ''  Inil  avoid 
U>iii;^  llicin.  if  j)()ssil)l«'." 

Tlic  (wo  nicM  sot  out,  ('oiii|Mllr(I  lo  lake  I'al  a^  ;;iii<lc, 
l)ut  not  allowing  liiin  to  stray  IVoiii  tlicm.  vMkt  con- 
(liu'lin^  lliciii  nl)out  a  (jiiartcr  of  a.  mile  IVoiii  I  lie  cii- 
cainpinnit,  (lioiinjii  still  kcrpiii^f  within  a  liiiiHlicd  yaids 
of"  thn  river,  he  pushed  tliroii;^!!  a  thicket,  to  a  |^ras<)' 
glade,  sniToiiiided  l»y  wood,  on  which  they  saw  a  lo 
lint  of"  woven  willows,  entwined  with  crerpin  |)lants, 
really  a  mass  of  verdure,  whieh  rni;^ht  have  p,  ed  loi 
a  |)art  (»!'  the  f^rove,  if  the  attention  of"  the  men  I.. id  not 
been  dirfjcted  to  it  hy  the  hoy.  JOvei'y  tliiii;^'  round  the 
lint  was  perfecrtly  still,  and,  winding  among  the  hiishcH, 
they  eam(!  np  behind  it,  and  w(!i'e  at  oikm*,  arrested  by 
hearing  the  dee|)  voice  of  a  man  f"rom  the  interior  M"  the 
hut. 

"  He  ifl  certainly  speaking  I'liiglish.  William,"  whis- 
pered llai'old.  "  I  should  like  to  be  near  eiioiigh  to  (lis- 
tingilish  the  words  ;  but  I  fear  the>n  leafy  walls  would 
i^ot  hi(hi  lis." 


Pat 


was    down   on 


his  i; 


lee    III    an    instant,   erawlinj' 


through  the  grass  towards  the  hut,  and  Harold  would 
have  sprung  forward  to  stop  him,  but  Williain  held  him 
back,  saying,  — 


1  don't  think  Ik?  is  in    langer,  Mr.  (Tofton  ;   but   y 


on 


c(;r(ainly  would  l»e  if  you   left  cover.      Pat   is  a  (de\er 


littlx3 


m 


we  liad  better  let  him  alon«i 


They  waited  anxiously  for  a  few  minutes,  then  the 
active  boy  rosy  uj)  beside  them,  whi-j>ering,  '•  Sui-e, 
ar'n't  they  both  raal  white  men,  and  not  Jnjnns  at  all, 


biiri'in'  one  has  a  sliirt  all  o\ cr  fin 


e-woiv 


tnd 


wa>n 


t   I 


thinkin'  him  that  same  .>i(jody  chafe,  the   Gr.iy   Wolf  : 
but,  hearin'  him  spake   words,  both  of  them,  altogether 


ifm  '^' 


87  (> 


Tlir.    lUAK-UlM  I  lis 


'f     ! 


|>laiii  Mini  Msy  Knjilisli,  jiiul  i;n»;»uiti'  as  W  llicy  wcro  kilt, 
and  oursim'  tic  Pawnees  and  tlio  Siotix  allo;^*  llier  *,\\vy 


W(M-«' 


"  \vo  yoti  sun»  llioro  wore  no  more  fliaa  two  men, 
ratr'  askea  William. 

"Niver  a  sowl  more,  iiijili,"  answered  ll\<'  1h)V  ;  "and 


1' 


(low 


me  seeinj;  tluMn   lyni   down  on   (he  ^I'oinid,  llironjj;!!   \l\i'. 


Ill 


d.  111 


1hv(»s,  as  av  il  wen?  a  jflass  window." 

"  We  must  go  on,  Mr.  Crollon,"  said  William. 
**  Tliev  are  in  distress,  and  we  are  hound  to  liclj) 
them." 

Without  tnrther  delay  the  yonnii;  men  went  np  to  tin? 
hnt.  Tat  pointing  out  the  plaee  from  whence  he  had 
s(>en  the  face  oi'  a  man  on  his  first  approach  ;  and  rais- 
ing the  leaty  hranches,  they  saw  an  op<'niiig  through 
which  Harold  entered  at  once.  Two  men  wen;  rei'lin- 
ing  on  the  ground,  but  at  the  sight  of  the  intruders  one 
sjM-ang  up,  and,  with  an  oath,  seized  a  gun  that  stood  at 
the  side  of  the  hut,  till  William  cried  out,  '"  Father,  it  is 
I !  "  and  arrested  him. 

"  Is  it  you,  lad,  at  last?  "  answered  the  man.  "  How 
manv  of  you  got  otV  from  those  rogues  ?  and  are  you 
sure  they're  not  on  your  trail  ?  " 

William  hrietly  told  him  how  they  had  escaped,  while 
Harold  turned  to  look  at  the  co!n}>anion  of  Arnclitle. 
He  was  a  tall,  muscular  man,  with  a  bronzed  fiice,  and 
grizzled  hair.  He  was  elati  in  a  hunting-shirt  of  buf- 
talo  skin,  with  leggings  of  the  same,  and  round  his  wai.Nt 
wore  a  broad  belt,  which  held  his  long  knife,  his  pipe, 
and  tobacco-pouch.  He  kx)ked  on  the  intruders  with 
an  air  of  perfect  indilference,  and  continued  lying  on 
his  bed  of  leaves,  only  uttering  at  intervals  a  low 
^roan. 


I II 

I!' 

■  i  '.1 


Ol''    Tlir,    HOCKV    MOTNTMNS. 


.^77 


fh 


An-  yoii  ill,  fiicnd?"  sniil  IlnniM, 
il.lc 


on  ^i^roMii  fill 


if  yon  nf'i-.>  in  hoiiJiic. 

"Troiildo  (Mioii'ili  !  "  ninft»'r<'(]  ilic  niiui,  willi  tlie 
prcnlinr  twmi<^  of  tin'  uncdncntiMJ  Arnrricar).  "  Ii'h 
trouble  to  lir  loMfnij;  lirrr,  likr  one  of  yr  fiiM'  <lo\vr»- 
rnst  Irndcrs,  with  till  my  trn[)s  an<l  powdrr  cnnird  off 
hy  IIkmu  rascMJly  i-rd-skiiis.  It's  jmiii  llic  nnliir  of  a 
f'rro  fivipinT  to  want  waliti  on  and  Ircdin  \\\\>'  a  haliliy." 

"Yon  liavc  |>('ilia|>>i  had  an  accidrtil,"  said  llai'oM, 
lookin<X  at  the  rndi  l)and;i;^»'s  on  Iiis  leer.  ''Om-  (»("  my 
'ricnds  lias  some  lilflc  kiH»\vlcd<j('  of  sin';.n'ry,  and  wonld, 
I   am   (MM'tain,  be   i^lad    (o   lndp   yon,  as   far  as   be   was 


ul 


)l»'. 


(t 


It's  late  in  liff^  for  Jacob  T^iiibtfoot  to  bc^jin  iu  b»t 
liisstdf  be  banncllrd  by  doctors,"  said  tlic  man.  "  Can 
Vonr  doctor  straiulitcn  that  tAvistcd  Ic;;?"  and  he 
strctclicd  ont  a  brawny  liml,»,  tbc  bon(!  of"  \vlii(di  vvaa 
bent  like  a  bow. 

"This  has  been  tlic  rcsnlt  of  ncfjrb'ct."  said  Haj'o'd; 
"a  fVactnre  which  has  nc^vcr  been  properly  rednccd. 
Why  did  yon  not  try  to  replace  tlie  bone,  and  ciadle  it 


till  it 


was  uni 


ted? 


"Then  I'd  like  to  know  who  was  there  to  fetch  mo 
my  meat  and  drink,"  replied  Jacob.  "  Wasn't  a  bandy 
lejT  a  lieap  better  nor  a  starvinj;  stomach  ?  T  were 
driven  to  put  it  to  use,  to  trail  me  down  yonder  away 
to  my  drinkins,  and  a  fish  or  a  few  egj^s  to  lielp  kect) 
me  livinf;^,  when  he,  there,  were  out  of  t'  way.  He's  a 
rowdy  customer,  he  is;  an  out  and  ont  blasphemer,  and 
half  Injun  hisself;  but  what  then?    there's  a  dn)p  of 


/hristen  blood  in  him. 


II 


e  raised  this  here  hut,  and 


that  I  guess,  ye'U  reckon  someways  a  Chri-ten   deed  ; 
aiid  he's  knocked  down  a  gobbler  now  and  then,  and 

32* 


'Mm- 


.^ 

1 

it -J 
1   ' 

'i 

4'>' 

' '1 

Zh^ 

■  ^\m> 

liiiial"'' 

m 

nrs 


THK    nr.AU-m'NTKKS 


I! 


It.1    ill 


i: 


ltw-i 


eook>  anTiil  nrood.  That  llicre,  I  ralkci'lMto,  will  Im  liin 
lad  as  lie's  Icllin'  on,  a  kinder  of  an  out  of  t'way 
Hltni<»lily  jrrand  scholar.  AikI  it's  evtii'la-tiii;;  woiidci-rul 
how  yon  all  cjimc  to  be  taken  in  onr  traps." 

"Yes,  Mr.  Crof'ton,"  said  ArncliHe,  "  yon  see  I'm  on 
yoin*  hands  again  ;  a  bigger  trouble  than  ever,  for  my 
horse  is  gone,  and  walk  I  cannot.  If  I  were  in  yonr 
plaee,  now,  I'd  make  no  boncvs  *i  leave  two  such  nseless 
dogs  as  Jaeob  and  inys«df  to  die  and  rot  in  this  dreary 
li(»|e,  wher<'  it  needs  a  man  to  look  out  for  a  spark  of 
(iod's  grace  to  sav<!  him  iVom  all  his  sins,  or  his  life 
would  be  a  torment,  and  his  death  a  tei-ror.  Well,  I 
know  you  all;  your  ways  are  them  of  Christian  men, 
and  1  can  trust  yon.  Sinner  as  I  am,  I  know  you'll 
hamjx'r  yourselves,  and  trail  me  on  with  you;  and  I 
thank  you  for  all  you've  done,  and  all  you  may  do. 
May-be  I'm  not  so  graceless  as  you  think." 

"Our  j)osition  is  certainly  awkwaxl,  Arncliffe,"  an- 
swered Harold;  "but  rely  on  it  we  won't  desert  you: 
you  shall  share  our  fate,  good  or  bad.  And  as  we  must 
necessarily  be  detained,  I  think  we  cannot  do  better 
than  remove  to  this  retired  spot ;  for  on  the  bunks  of 
the  river  we  are  dangerously  exposed." 

"  P^etch  your  folks  up  hereaway  directly,"  said  Jacob. 
"  You  aint  a  goin'  to  leave  'em  nigh  yon  creek  ;  they 
red  niggers  lie  there,  right  and  left.  We'll  fix  ye  all 
here  handsome,  if  so  be  as  ye've  no  women-folk  among 
ye." 

"  But  we  have  women,  my  good  friend,"  said  Harold ; 
•''it  is  for  them  I  feel  particularly  anxious  for  a  shelter, 
and  I  fear  your  I'ut  is  too  small  to  contain  us  all." 

"  Well,  then,  that  there  old  buffler,"  answered  Jacob, 
pointing  to  his  companion,  "  he's  him  as  will    run  up 


or    Tin:    lIOrKV    MfUJNTAINS 


n79 


)li.4 


an- 

you : 

must 

K'tter 

Iks  of 

lacob. 

they 

re  all 


Inong 


L'old ; 
ilter, 

Lcob, 


nnollicr  for  yo  :    soino  of  your  followrr!^   inusi    j  ii(    in 
help." 

TIk  two  young  iihmi  icIiiriHMl  with  all  liasto  to  break 
up  llu!  cncanipiin'nt.  Tliry  found  iIm'  piTpaiafiou'J 
alri'ady  coiuuu'nccd,  for  Pat  liad  taken  care  to  he  fust 
to  Hiniounce  the  rnaivcllous  news  that  they  had  found  a 
eabin,  wiiere  Will's  father  and  another  old  Idlow  were 
livinjr,  who  had  invited  them  all  to  go  ami  lodge  with 
them. 

"And  no  more  nor  Arnelifft;  was  owin' us,  the  i*ap- 
paree ! "  exclaimed  Dcmns.  "Sure  thin,  Will,  I  was 
not  mailing  to  vex  you,  serin'  he's  your  own  hoi'n 
father;  but  you'd  not  be  owning  him  to  be  a  Christian, 
anyhow." 

"  God  forbid  lie  sliouldn't  be  a  Christian,  master,"  re- 
plied Will,  "  though  h(!  be  a  sinfid  nian,  as  evtry  one  of 
us  is.  We  k  low  that  His  iniirey  is  great  to  all  who  put 
their  trust  in  llim,  and  I  cannot  look  on  my  father  as 
lost.     He  has  been  very  kind  to  poor  Jacob." 

"  Sure,  thin,  I'm  plased  to  hear  it,  W^ill,"  said  the 
old  man.  "Isn't  it  one  of  tlie  wondthers  of  the  world 
ftUogether,  how  that  same  small  s})ark  of  grace  that 
falls  on  u  child's  heart,  smother  it  as  ye  will,  will  flicker 
up,  and  have  its  way  in  God's  own  time.  It's  the  ^ricf 
that  brings  the  joy,  Will.  Blessed  be  His  name  that 
sends  it." 

The  baggage  was  easily  removed  ;  in  half  an  hour 
the  travellers  had  left  their  resling-i)lace  behind,  and 
spreading  about  to  avoid  leaving  a  broadly-marked  trail 
towards  the  hut,  they  reached  the  place  with  thankful- 
ness that  offered  them  the  semblance  of  a  homt;.  Arn 
cliffe  received  them  with  a  dejected  countenance  ;  but 
Rodney  shook   hands   with   him  kindly,  saying,  "  I  am 


nso 


inr   Mt  \u  IMN  1 1  w* 


m 


1^ 


\ 


M 


I'll!  ««'   Imr  Im'i'M    •:»»  Toi  hmUi'    i«  t   )t>  r^ll    in  w  \\\\    \itti, 
Ird  (\ii'nil".      H'U<'    \  I'M  wnniitl  li<iil.  oi   l«i'i  n  •mlVii-- 


\w\\ 


>\!H  tvm'K,"  vipli.  .1  VuhhOiv  "  I  l»<  \  ii<l«l>i.l  mi.  mm. I 
li'l't  n\i'  l\»ll  ill  •«.!  I'lMtmind  l\  tlii'\  Will'  iiiii  t»l  ilii> 
\\\hv  \\\\\\  \\\u^\\\  I  \\ '» 1  M  |>n  ,>ni  ( ,  li'i  i(  llir\  li'til  KiiiM\M 
nu\  1  -liiMil.l  nr\r)  liHi-  r'l'm'i  «1  •\\\\  >'  I  \in  m  '  il 
M:»>».  \\\*'  >;rnlp  Kiuti'  h:\A  !«li«  !iil\  (.'111  III  il  tn\  In  'til,  w  lii>  t 
»l\.-  «  :u  M  hoop  t«1  (1(1  \i  ;(il\  I  1  junr  >  'ninnnoui  il  lluin  to 
«lio  tisilu.  :\nii  (l\i  X  li  l"(  (Ml'  '(n.j  ii«ili>  nil.  luKini'  \\hIi 
(hiMU  im  lh>v<»\  \N  l\i'n  \\\\  t'n  ;«'^  nluiuiil,  I  riMwIiil 
uni^iM'  -:«MUi>  Imi  1(1  .  ;\n<l  In  (l\iH'  1\ii1.1i'M  nil  iliiiKin-srt 
j>«MnMt(i~<l  »U(>  (o  u\o>  o  lo\\\:iiil.  Mow  I  irMi'hrd  lliiM 
j>l;U'o.  ^M  WWi  \\\\\\  .l;«.ol».  1  i;U\  l»;Uill\  1 1  iwi'MiIht  ;  ImiI 
snuv'  th:\(  nn\o  >\  o  li.wr  l^oon  ri|\\illl\  l»rl|>lt'^>J,  Mini  IhiI 
l«>\   \}  c  ii-li  :»nii  ojlfl^    '^  now   n -.  ur  inu-t   huxr  piiiilMHl. 


IM 


* 


•  tf    I IM     r»'M  I?  »    M'lf'^r  f  s  »»m 


mi 


r  II  A  r  I  I,  i{    X  \  X  M  I. 

I  III    I  l'l>lil  >.(  .I'.lin  I  li«>  m<l«i  (  i.fM' hi  A    ^hirtUuf  KUity 

Mr'i    A  viiiiildlf  11    Niiwlilv  I'll'   I  ifilmrluili'iri  'iri  th"  1,'in  of, 


M 


Hi. 


hill     I\li      I(m'Im»'V   wii-    (I'll  (|i  (/,i(r!ii"'l    l»y    A  f  fifllfl''-) 


I"  <i  vf.  I'll     III'   i^HW  (MfiMiw    iiii'l    |i»  nil'fi' «■    in 


fill    I 


)i'»' 


mil 


I    Im<    Imi   Ii  iI    Hint,  liv    (  .'mI'      In  li.    fl 


(I,  f In  y    riiijMil    ttii\iU'*>i 


lllMI    In    li  ml    II    IIIW     III*' 


"I  li  «'l  '4iii»  ,  ImiIk  I ,"  '  iii'l  Willinffi,  "  fliiit  y.ii  »r»i 
iinw  liiiil  (i(  \iiin  wiiM'lf  liini;  III*':  rroiy  '''I'l  I'lvi'  yun 
'(irMnlli  1(1  I  (I'll  in  ill'  ii'lil  wiiy,  wlii' li  will  ''.mforf, 
nil   yniii    lii«'ii(|  .        r.iil     I'll    lili     Ml  I  rio.v   li'.//    yini  I'll  in 

willl    llli      |iiiii|     MIIHI." 


"  \Vi  II,     IIm'm,"    Mil    w  i"l      Alnrjin'i  .  "  f 


Ji-'     ihinttii' 


round  ii,  Ml,  m>!  I  lim|i«il  on,  wli«n  I  ')ifn»  on  liiffi  l/iri(r 
on  M  |»r)iiii«'  imiIcm  olt  ihi  |»lii'»',  wlM-ri-  In  ''I  li'«  n  I'f), 
lor  (|(-imI  \>y  iImmti  »'ownr»lly  I'Mwri**-',  who  li/nl  'nrri*-'! 
(>(!"  his  hoi-^»',  hi^  Kl<irH  find  Iiii|ij,  nnd  hi-*  rill'*,  tind  )tfiil 
him  lill  liiH  Iniid  wn<  liiid  o[»<  n,  hi^  \i  </  hrok'n,  ;ind 
he  wiiM  iim«MiHihh'  find  ruvtml  with  hlood.  l^'<  h\\\*'. 
rnoiijdi  I  know  iihoiif  do'toi  inji;,  hut  th'-y  h(id  h-f'f.  irift 
my  Irnlh'T  holljc  with  orri''  wjitcr  in  if,  arid  f  w^kIi'mI 
find  li''d  ii|)  hit  In'.id,  (ind  lill'd  him  on  my  hjn  k,  urid 
tmilt'd  <}\\,  hit  hy  hil,  lor  rnih'-t,  r'-'firi;.^  whih--'.  till 
he.  cjitiH'.  to  hi.-*  srnmn.  'Ihrn  h'-  m;id''  rm-  urid^,r-<fJmd 
which  W!iy  to  t;ikc,  lor,  you  «'•'■,  h^;  h^id  (i,  rt/r/io  h'r'^- 
ttboulB,  with  more  skios,  anotlHir  rifl'*,  powdfT  and   ihot. 


:lt 


il 


p'if  ^ 


882 


THE    BEAIl-HUNTKRS 


and  a  sup  of  brandy,  for  fear  of  accidents.  It  was  two 
days  before  v.  e  got  here,  and  once  among  these  trees 
we  both  got  round,  after  a  bit,  all  bul  his  leg,  and  that 
I  managed  badly." 

"  Never  ye  heed  what  he  says,"  said  the  old  trapper. 
"  More-by,  it  were  my  own  unpaticjice,  crawlin'  about 
in  spite  on  him,  and  stannin'  up  afore  the  old  fox  were 
I'or  lettin'  me.  Ye  see  I  were  stiff'  to  sarch  out  my  no- 
tions myself,  as  I  had  berried  in  my  C((che,  and  I  wanted 
to  see  after  meat  again,  but  it  wouldn't  hould,  I  were 
a  gone  beaver,  bad  all  over,  and  no  mistake.  Ugh !  " 
And  the  old  man  concluded  his  speech  with  the  usual 
Indian  exclamation. 

"  How  we  both  came  off  with  our  hair  is  a  miracle," 
said  Arncliffe ;  "  only,  the  old  fellow's  head  was  so 
split  up  with  cuts,  that  they'd  hardly  have  come  at  a  reg- 
ular scalp  or  they'd  safe  done  it,  the  villains!  We're 
hardly  snug  now,  Mr.  T^)dney,  but  one  white  man 
with  a  good  rifle  in  his  hand  fairly  equals  six  of  these 
savages.     Still,  we'll  have  to  keep  a  good  lookout." 

*'l'll  see  to  that,  Arncliffe,"  said  Scruton.  "  Marlin 
must  lay  out  bulwarks  to  protect  our  position." 

"  In  the  first  place.  Captain  Scruton,"  said  Harold, 
"  we  should  be  glad  if  you  would  issue  orders  to  Marlin 
io  use  his  hands  and  his  head  in  constructing  us  a  hut 
to  shelter  the  weak  and  the  infirm." 

"  Ay,  ay  !  "  replied  Dick  cheerfully,  when  he  had  re- 
ceived the  commands  of  his  captain  ;  "  no  trouble  in  that 
job ;  plenty  of  timmer  and  willing  hands,  we'll  soon  rig 
up  a  cabin  or  two." 

Before  night  two  small  huts,  or  rather  arbors,  were 
erected,  which  afforded  retirement  and  ample  shelter 
m  the  summer  season.     Then,  a  watch  being  arranged, 


OF    THK    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


383 


two 

rees 
that 

iper. 
ibout 
were 

y  no- 
tinted 

were 


ual 


us 


racle," 

,'as   so 

a  reg- 

We're 

man 

f  these 

l^larlin 

[iirold, 

^larlin 

a  hut 

^ad  re- 
in that 
ton  rig 

were 
^belter 
li\ngod, 


they  retired  in  thankfuhiess  to  rest,  ai:d  after  an  un- 
disturbed niglit,  ro.>e  to  open  tlie  day  with  r>rayer,  from 
which  ArnchfTe  no  longer  shrunk ;  after  which  tliey 
soujzht  to  provi(h;  food  foi"  the;  inci-eased  party  ;  turkeys 
and  fisli  were  to  be  proeui'cd  without  difHciiUy,  but  were 
unsatisfactory  diet ;  and  the  oUl  trapper  (hrected  tiie 
sportsmen  to  souk;  distant  (h'cr  covers,  but  eharuj(.'d  tliein 
especially  to  look  about  for  ''  meat,"  by  wliich  word  he 
distinjruished  buffalo-flesh  in  ])ai'ticular. 

It  was  an-an^cd  that  Harold  atid  ]Mike  were  to  be 
the  hunters,  Pat  and  Ellen  undertook  the  i)hiiuler  of 
nests,  William  the  fishing.  The  rest  remained  in  the 
huts,  and  Scrnton  took  the  opportunity  of  asking  the 
trapper's  opinion  of  the  possibility  of  carrying  a  canoe 
down  the  river. 

"Well,  then,"  answered  Jacob,  ''I'd  say  as  how  a 
reg'lar  dng-out  would  flv  slick  down  yon  cretik  on  t(( 
them  ugly  rapids  ;  then  you'd  have  to  make  ])ortag('s  ; 
and  agin,  I'd  guess,  this  dry  season  the  sun  will  have 
sucked  up  all  in  some  of  them  awkwai'd  broad  flats, 
and  then  ye'd  make  no  way  at  all." 

"  It  might  be  worth  while  to  try  the  experiment,"  said 
Scruton  ;  "  even  if  we  made  no  more  than  twenty  or 
thirty  miles  — provided  we  can  build  the  proper  craft; 
but  I  hardly  understand  the  buihl  of  a  'dug-out.' 
Surely  tlu  boat  is  not  one  solid  piece  ?" 

"  That's  the  ticket,  old  man,"  replied  Jacob  ;  "  scooped 
out  like  a  big  apple  ;  whereavvay  else  would  ther"  "ed 
niggers  fix  up  their  canoes  ?  They're  not  up  to  yer 
dockyard  trade.  Them  steamers  and  three  masts,  is  no- 
tions they've  never  seed." 

Captain  Scruton  looked  dismayed.  "  This  will  never 
do,  Marlin,"  said  he.      "  You  have  neither  tools  noj 


K  II 


.\Hi 


nil    in  \u  ni'N  n  u'< 


\\\Vi'  (t>  liollo\>  oiH  lilt"  (imiK  ol  :i  lur  ( ''inM  ><  \  m»i 
r>M\ln>c  lo  n<',  np  i>nulliiiii»  in  (lir  \\:\\  <>l  :\  lif.lil  I>om)  ? 
I  coulil  h;u<ll\  iu:\lvc  np  WW  ininil.  Ml  iniv  iMlr.  In  he 
l:inn«  In  il  in  M  (nl\  ;»nil  on  iVr^li  >v:»(t'r,  loo"* 

Pitk    ^(M  .ntliril    In-^    lii'inl.  :n\il    -^Miil.  "  I'll    Int'K  jiltonl 
n\  «:\plMin  ;  l>nl  bniMni;*  :i  vrii'l:n  IxmiI  wilhonl  -iM^oniMl 


n 


,1 


ill 


(nnnnr  ;\n»1  i':nillvn»;>  »-;  simom^.  nl\<'. 
i-liO 


>V 


\i\\   <:\\    Vt* 


A 


rn- 


r.   \  r  \  »'  St 


rn    Ivnoli  li  rr:»n   :intl    Injnn  «'ImI\  ;    \  (>  t'UU 


hpr:Uv.  snnh.  in^n. 

"  rUrn  1  ^M\.  M;nlni.'"  nn-utird  I\(\  "(h:i<  ilHc  \\'^\\\ 
i>n  ImiIVmIo.  \.mi  M  lirKci  1«M  ll\o  \]\\o  mil  nlonr.  Skin  cil- 
nors  ^^o\lI^l  MnswiM  \  on  Im(I<m-.  (i>r  \«miM  hniilh  lini-li  n 
>Oil-si70»}  »ln>i  onl  hrlon'  ll\<>  liill  ;  Mini  (iml  Know^  uliul 


WU 


>n'   \ 


llMl      I 


line 


WvW 


•  V     look    MlltT 


tlii«2;l\l    r.^nn'  on   ih 
ImiIVmIo  mmU." 

Vli»^  ni<  n  1<  fl  Ml  (In  lo.loc  KopI  (InMr  Miin-i  kmiIv,  mikI 
hM«l  soninn^N  plMrrd  ixmhuI  .  Mini  PirK.  not  lo  lo-»>  Mn\  lime, 
Oii<  «l<nvn  >.Mno  >«>uni';  \vvo<  \\n  pM<ltll»'s  Mini  omi-,  uliicli, 
Ht  mU  «  ><  nl>.  nui.^hl  bo  nonli-d  ;  Air.  Kodinv  osMiniinMl 
(ho  bi>^l\(Mi  lo<:  o\  iho  (iMppor:  lio  loiintl  il  wm^  now  loo 
ImIo  io  vou\i\\\  iho  (Irl'onnilv;  hut  ln>  ii^rd  bMiulM^iv^ 
ami  surh  ^iiuplo  nMHo.ln^^  MS  lie  IkhI  \  oI  rcMiMininji  (»!' 
his  >lor<^'^.  Mild  Piv'K  propositi  1<^  inMKt^  m  imiiIcIi  mimI  u 
slips:  tor  iho  inlinn  liinh.  lo  (Miahh*  th(>  poor  niMti  to 
nuno  alvMil.  lor  iuMoiitMi  liMd  oni'oobh^d  him  so  groiUly 
tli«t  ihc  ]"io\^  (MS  o\    lito  so<Mn«^^  (o  ho  i:i>  inu  \v;iv. 

About  an  liour  :\\\cv  tho  hnn(<'rs  liMd  sol  oiil,  I'at 
lUsluM   inio   ll.o  tvMppor's  hut    in   jiroMi    <^\oitoiuonl.  vx- 


ol 


:\iniins:. 


Snr<\  thin.  Iimn  on't  wo  s(Mmi  lln*   biii  I'Msios  ? 


Will   F.llon  Mnd  mo  t:ik«'  our  bows  and  bo   holpin',  yor 


lionnov 


^uri 


ihin.  wo'd  ho  shoolin'  down  m  bi<jj  lot  of 


the  oraiurs:  and  not  a  >o\vl  but   only  (wo  (o  (rail  (lioiu 
home  :  and  tlu\v  loing  snoli  big  basios,  oohono  I " 


Voll 


U)( 


1? 


o   i»r 


Arn- 


o  run 


liiilit 


\\\    fU 


\\\ 


Mi'icr 


\>  h\»M\, 


llMUUMl 

liivn    to 
Irt'Utlv 


lit,  TmI 

lit,  «>\- 

M^trs? 

ir,  yrr 

lot  of 

lh«MU 


UK     rn|i,     H(M   K  V     MOIN  I   \INH. 


nK5 


"    IC     (lli^     MM'fMlillir     litiy    luH    rolloWfd      tllClri,     (  'll|»lMiM 

ScniloM,*'  sniil    UndiM'v,  "  hihI    i^  i  f|i(ii  lirijr    tlM>  fiiilli,  wo 
«tMf»li(  icmIIv  Im  j4<»  nil  lo  (H^i<l    iIm'Im    ill  simIi  mm    iiiipor- 

ImIiI     Ini'iy." 

"  I'^li  !"  growled  iIm'  old  Ii!i|p|m'i.  "  Voiir  lull  IhimNt 
Mild  |Im>  Slllldl  cnnii  willi  liilii  WMii't  lie  ii|i  (m  liiiMIrr 
hicK'J,    I   (TIH'S^.       'I  liriii   old   ImiIU   will     liDil   'mm  oil' liliMfl  ; 


y 


1'    Sf'l'      1 


I    In! 


krv;  ii    miKii  I    lol    w  Im  M    s  <•  (ind    mm  !i 


(.     N 


(>W 


llMMr'n;  yon,  mim  I  Iki  ,  iiiid  iImk'^  Immi  ye  cuW  ciiiip'-M, 
yo'vo    SMIldl     |to\v(lMi,    I     (MIC-;-,  so    lie   MUMJ'   JMld     ld)l/('   Jlf 

(lio  JHiilr:,  Mild  yf>  (IIM  N'MiJ  nloiij,^  willi  yo  yon  Idj^  cluiii 
IH  im^ii'l  (I  lir!»|t  ol  liniiiH,  lull  I  ciilkfilMl*'  Im'  rim  |>iill 
II  It'll  ;  lir'll  Ik  l|i  <  l<'Mr  nwny  Mioil  mIoi''  vvoIvi  ■;  comm'  in 
lo  lirlp.  I'd  likr  lo  Iniv  ii  lilii/.f'  willi  jou  Mi^si  11  ;  liiit 
I'lli  ^oiio   lllidri,         (I   l<»-l   fooM." 

diit'oli's  Mdvico  vyjis  lollovvi'd  :  Mr.  l^odiM'j  (ind  Srru- 
loM  Ml  iiii'd  lIuMnsrlvf^,  willi  .((dill,  wliosp.  |diy-^iral  [lowrr 
WHS  MloiM  MmiI'mI    IIdim  lii-^  iiilrlli'MMcr ,;    Mild   willi    IIm'  iii- 


roiiloiH 


I'mI     I 


or   ^niidr,  lliry  <r|    oil 


t.       \ 


iry   liMiM'l 


I  hut 


llio  Itid  lifid  lilt  l',ll<'ii  ill  till'  ;.';rov  lo  do  tlir  hird-iM-;!- 
iii^!;  mIoih',  (iiid  Imd  liiiclsrij  llic  IiiimI<ix  lijl  tlM-y  lisid 
cornr  oil  IIk'  lirrd,  wIm  ii  Im-  luid,  (d  hi-;  own  (mcokI, 
vvisidy  IJrd  I»m(  k  lo  hriii;^  up  nssislMiicf.  'riiioiifrh  lh»; 
ihif'kris  Mild  jimoiijf  sciitU'K'd  Iric^th'-y  lollowcd  iIm  ir 
friiidc,  III!  ihcy  cmiim'  (»m  m.  row  of  thorny  shriih-^,  h''- 
iM'alh  uhirli  lh«'  hoy  cijiwle'd  I'rM"  }i  f'w  niiriiit*'-^,  Mud 
r(MH»|H'Mr<'d,  l(»  ji'Md  hi-;  firdlowiwx  lo  a  position  whcrr 
tlicy  loiiiid  lliirtdd  mid  Mike  hidden  Knii;;^ly  l»''hind 
Mio  hushes,  wiitchiiifi;  ini|t!ili<nlly  fin-  the,  chMnce.  fd'  iJik- 
iiiLT  H  trood  Mini  Minoii"  n\\  iinrnense  he.-fj  <d  hidJJihxi.s 
whi<di  wrrc,  s|ir"!Ml  over  a  rich  '^\,uh'.  that  lay  heyond 
(he  Ihiclcct. 

One    )i'   I  wo   f'crorioiis   l>Mll•^,  with  Ion;.'    hiuck    ^hn'^t^y 


I 


l\}i\\ 


1  in     in  \ ((  in  N  n  hi 


I 


iiM>  •'  r\  I'-J    <>  ri  r   I) 


w 

(lUUi'ii    p:lli<    :t<    (he    Mi  :\i    \ir\\    ol    tlii>    lion   In  :iilril    llliMI- 


ti!«M' 


lU;»n  "   "  t-i^hi'il    S,»u(o>\.  ■(<\)\l\.       "   \>ill\»Mi(      ul<nnliiui 
|l«M\.    \\('   «  :»ni\<M    look    (.M       \1«ii>  .-:  '" 

lUMilr  .1  ^\«-.n  ii>  \\\\\\  \(i  i'l'     ilcni.  mill    thr  l-nl  >\\A  i\ol  »»!»- 
j.  <M   i»>  >>b<  ill.  nri-  \\  hi'W  \l\i-  >  iM\nn:ii\il 


\\  1    I  I'     Mil 


I.I 


i  ^hl  ,1,»«  .>h  ■;    \:\  A    \  ]\:\\ 


\U'     |i'    u 


•\iil 


ICmI 


II.   N  .   "   «  fH 


(h.\( 


Vt^    U:\y\    :\    k\\:\\\ 


-luMiM    ilo(    \\;\    !('    iMii       lltM  .    on    'Inill   i\\i:»),'    if 


lO      llll      '   >  iM\     IMi'lU.       wlll.ll      \\  M     llllll'l" 

rttui  i«Mul<M>M  ;  ;\\\«1  nnU  ili:\(  ol.l  liri\  •(  lli!»(  (ooK  AliKr'^ 
t;U\>'\  l«s'k'  ii>>>  i>>\t.\l\  1.M  luiin:n\  un  n.  :»l  h>n  Hnl  Uill- 
oUl,    iii\     b>M  .    \U;VrU    \l\o-«'    iluit'    ili\iiuni<>     \tMin>'    cowi 


^XNsstjMniv  U\>:\''luM-  Ml   I 


\\o  l(l\     Ii:»n.l,        1  '•( 


w  ■  rui'M    Jt'lcrt 


OUV    l>o:\>-(,  ;\n«l    lil>'    Ml    >m\>  r  .     Mike.  ili>     \imi     IioM    IimiK, 


X*  u!\  r.oi 


m>\^  VMU  >x\Inl\  v^tV,ll^<'  flwnl  s(M\VM'ri'»l,  1m  .hrd  ll\r  \M>uml 
U  h'M\  \\\-\''\\i\\  vin  i<s  >\<i«'  ^\l(h  if--  ImiI.  miuI  llu>n  WMlktMl 
C;<]nO,>    MNXM\    u^^mihIs   iis    iwmU'    jMolrriors,  ms    it'  it    I\m*| 

moivlx    r<Vt!\<\i    M   tlUMullv    pM(.         AliMIU'^t    li\is   (llsdMiMl'llI 

crt\U\n\'  Miko  u\«iiun;\ntl\  «hrrvM«"«l  l\is  oiiw.mimI  woiimUMi 

Vhv"'  l;iri;x^^(  o("  \ho  bulls.  rtvMriui:  with  rMU»\  iminotli- 
liul\  oViai-^i^ni  Jv\  ono'tiiH^  tt>\\MriU  \\\v  Mmlui'-v'ailt' ;  aiul 
it  «,-,>  w  ;;]•,  nuubi  o\vM";i»>n  ih.-u    Umiv^UI  an  I   Svm-uIou  ,so 


Ml'      I  III'      IMM'K  r      !M»H   N  I  MN4, 


JIM/ 


I  on) 
>\i>n- 

(linn 

"  WW* 

(  \h\\- 

^^\\\  » 

\\\  iMintl 


\\\\\\ 


WhI 


IMUOV 


l\- 


on  .-^O 


•  'iiiiil    ilii'lr    iiIiimI    ill    !i    t'lll    'I  li  ii'(,  (iM'l    I'M  ''I    Mr 

KMllllrV     to     fl     plflCI'     Ih        i'lf       ill'    IM  iMll'f       r,,,(|       |',||      |.,,,      I, ((A 

iii|iiit  M  I  '  I))  '  Im'IIim  ;  lull  .1  liii  I"  I  nil  li'  'ii  I ,  II 1 1' I  '  I  V  iii|ii 
mil  III-  lii'l|i,  Im<  i  mi  Ik  i|  lliimifili  iIm  Im  Im  .  fiinl  II' 'I 
u  iMh    mil    ill''   |iliiiii      IIm'V    IiimI   (111      ('I,   jriii    IM'l    liy    lliM 


villili'l  i  \  I'   liiill,    wliiili   I'liiiM'l    '(I   Mt|iMlly   'III    lii'ii    IIdiI     Ii>( 


mil  I    iin'\il!ilils    li!i\i>  miImmi  11    \ii|im  In  il  ■   liny,  il     llm 

llllj,    M-|(i)nl  ill;"      lli:    |'llll,    Ii'hI      IHiI      Imi     III',     'I'      ''M'l''l      ImiKI 

(ln<    Im'I',  fill'!,  '.(  t  Ml  iiii»    llif    Im     I     |i'i   ili'iit     |p'      w.'i',    filil'', 


llll 


I   IidIIi   Ihiii'  I'.   Ill    llll'    III  M    I         l,i|i|   il,    liiilli      liml;    ll 


lO 


1 11 1 1 1,  111(1  (I  (  I  I  Iniii  r  \  I  III ,  ^^  In  II  il  w  m  •  mn  iii"  <»  i  M|ii'll  y. 
Il  lolliiril  iiimI  I'll;  liiil  ||  w  n  :  iinl  till  mII'I  l<|i'Mt''l 
itiiil  |i'  I )  iii|i|iM  V  ''ill  IIdiI  .I'iIiii  'ihiI'I  Ii'  iii'lii'r'l  I'l  hiiri 
li!i<  K  In  M'' i'il  ill  ill  |i;il(  liiii^,  I;  iiiiiiiij',  niid  'iilliiij'  iifi 
ITh  I'lirin  V. 

Ill    lln>    imiiii    linn  ,    IIm      In mI,  iiIiiim''!     liy    llic    -'li'il-* 


llfUl    ill     |lll      I'll,    MImI     III'      IW'i    ImII'    II     MIIIIIIMIi     W<I''      i,''i|M<|, 

III  III-  I  ill  llll!  ni  (|i;ii"'i(l  III  llll'  lull;;  llic  1:  in  :  li'  inr/ 
(Irsliliifl  lo  lir  ((inv  <i  llll  inio  lio)il\  nii'l  iL'  II'  li  I'l  IiM 
(lliril.  I' <i  I  rill  lli.'il  \vlii(  ll  vvfi  ;  M'(<-!!iiy  I'lC  ifnni< '|i;tU? 
«'oii;iiiii|il  ion.  I  lie  \v'»iiimI<  ij  <  .iw,  wl  i' li  Ii.kI  run  'iff, 
liMiJ  llll  n  Irmk  oC  IiIkikI,  MJ.i'li  lln  y  [piii[i'»  i'l  f<» 
(djlow,  nlliT  lliry  liJKJ  ili(iO-.((|  '»!  lli*'  ►  ijin;'li(«r '  d 
lini  .Ik. 

I  >ick  mill  VVilliiim  nim»'  oiil  lo  (H-^i-;!,  In  rutting';  iif»  flif, 
liHMil.  'riir  skiii'^  well'  l(»  !»••  firipjoyrd  iinij'r  tli'  'lif':- 
tion  of  .Incoli,  vvlio  IdkI  Ii  ((iiH-nliy  rrni'N-,  l»<»jif-;  f'»r  tliM 
( onvryiiiicr  ol"  liis  I'lir-?.  Willow«  wftr.  njl  <|o'Ari  Ui 
iniiko  IIm-  IVniiic  fif"  IIk-  liont  ;  tlir-i-  wif  h'rif  (o  form  a 
pliMip  siciii  Jiii'l  Hirrti,  find  (»ii  (IiIk  riMrnf  Iwo  (»f  tli*'  fri-h. 
pliiml  nkiiiM,  joiiiMl  lo;^<'llirr  nl  tlif  sIioiiMm-,  iu\(\  ^^w^d 
willi  llll"  situ'ws,  wrrr,  «.tr«'lrli''l,  naijcfl,  Jiri'i  hi-li'd. 
'riicn    llic.    luml    WM„4    N-f't     o   <\ry.      In    tlf.   iitfufi    tirifl 


'if. 


;18S 


TMK    in  AH-IIVN  n  HS 


rji; 


i>l 


■m 


f«M*  Miul  IrnrkiMl  (ho  \voui\(lril  cow  lo  (lie  pl.-uM'  wIhmmi 
hlic  liMii  rMllcn,  ('xIimh-^IimI  1>v  loss  »tl  Mt.od.  Tliev  IimiI 
to»lli\o  oil"  M  pMck  ol"  piMuio  woUc-i.  wliicli  li.-xl  ;',ul  lined 
r»)nu«l  (o  WMJI  lor  (lie  (1<>m(1\  oI'  iIk^  ImiIImIo,  Ihmiio  loo 
C<>w:ii,llv  lo  \]\\\  on  her  when  li\ini»;  :iihI  iIk'v  llirn 
dispnichcd  ;m((1  drM^ncd  !i\VMy  llio  miumimI.  lo  romplolo 
ihr  s«M'oml  *';n\oo. 

"  \\'»>  s1\mI1  so.'UTolv  1>(>  mMo  .'ill  lo  crowd  smIcIv  inlo 
hvo  such  llii\isv  shells."  s;\id  II;irold:  "  hiil  mI  nil  cncmIm 
\vc  \\\'A\  ihiis  t'.'\n  V  the  old  men  ;ii\d  (he  w»Mncn.  Von 
mMv  Mcll  si;ih,  Kodm^v,  luv  ^ood  IcUow,  1  h.ivc  h'd  you 
inIO  .'1   |M(-vMOl!S  i\u  ss."' 

"  You  h;i\(\  llnrold.  my  hoy,"  Muswcrcd  Ivodncy  ; 
"hul  il'  {\oA  pcrmil  mc  lo  rc;ich  I'jt;.d;md  .M^nin,  1 
inlcnd  lo  h;»llli<  ;my  luliiic  plMUs  M'^miisI  mv  pcMcc." 

U(Mor<^  (he  hoMis  were  rcjidy  lor  iMiiiichiMa,  m  (pmu- 
lily  of  hiilV;»Io  me:\l  liMd  heeii  drictl  :md  pMck(>d  in  1)m;j;h 
mude  of  (he  lVniin»en(s  of  llu'  skins;  p.-iddles  and  o;n\s 
had  he<M»  n»Md(>.  ;md  ihe  lonj;  iiiMss  cnl  lo  lonn  seals  ill 
{\\c  boa.-i.  All  the  parly  assemhled  (o  se(»  (he  launch, 
hn(  y<M  (he  old  IrappcM"  s(>cm<Ml  reluclanl  h)  leave  liis 
h^aly  Iml.  and  Mrs.  Avondiile  fell  a  panic  when  slm 
looked  al  I  he  iVaLiile  canoes. 

"  Why  slwnild  not  1  and  my  child,"  said  she,  "remain 
with  Jacob  in  this  qniel  soliUuh"?  lie  is  aide  to  movH 
about  now,  .and  could  procure  I  he  lew  necessaries  wo  re- 
quiro  ;  and  at'ler  ten  years  slaviM'y.  liberty  is  tlie  great- 
est and  only  ph>asuro  lolll  for  the  widow  and  orphan." 

"Ton  yoar  is  it,"  said  .lai'ob,  nnisimx.  "Let's  s<'o, 
that  would  be  tho  tin.o.  I  uuoss,  as  a  whilo  trader  worn 
robbed  and  a'most  murderod  anions:  yon  mountains  by 
chem   bloody  Sioux ;    and   his    woman,   Giui  holi)  her, 


Ol       I  UK     lUM'KV      MOHNIAINS. 


}\H\) 


i    loo 

•   ii\l«J 

Yoli 

.1  yon 

\\\\\oy  \ 
:;\in,    I 

44 

il  o;ns 
Itnls  in 
|!\\nu'l\, 


IV  o 


•n 


r(MU!\in 
nu>v«». 

in>!\t- 

att. 
's   soe, 


lis 


l,y 
her, 


A  V.  in  ,  iiiMin 


ImiiiI     tlllri-    llH'trt 


wcro  DU'iic"!  oil 

doij'^i,  mihI    II    licMp   ol    Imii'   Im>V'    lilh'd,  I    t.Mic-;'!,    in'  dial, 


(I 


InuKin'  iirlri'    In  ;   Hkiii  i  mimI    lii^^    I 


<»1K' 


I   I 


liHl     lllMI     (III 


iny    Iritil,  tuny  l)*<  luiii    yriU'    litnk,   mimI    nil    •luwn    in    ill 


IIUMI 


III    I 


u'  wt'ij',  (or  v«'  '^•'•*  III :  II'  (III  \vr>i»< 


Hiniill,  mM'iiiy:  ImM  liil  on  ii  wioinr  linil. 


Ml 


\A.    /\\ninl!ilr    Ikmi 


1. 1.'. I 


I'Xrc:  :|Vf'l  V    II 


kiiiilt 


.Im<oI 


{/niwn 


(  qirtkr 


iiinl,  m'cintr   lii<r   <li-;li'<  :m,  Mr.    KmliK'v  Iti-lily  .'i<k»'(|    ihii 
(ril|t|n'r  wIimI   \V!i  1  IIm'  iimiim'  ol'  llir  lindcj'. 


W 


c    never    niiiiil    no   ciin^lfjird    nii.iie-   (»n    niMiri* 


I' 


HII'^WriTd    lie 
•^    I 


\\ 


e   iro    l»\    S(»rH  ol     IKinie-'   )\<  H\\i\^  ;    mI 


litipper^    know  old     I  rue  liol  ;     llinl  -;  jio 


»\V 


lli'V 


enll  m*' 


find  soiindiow,  Ml  liine;,  I  ejin  I  eiilj  ii|)  tnv  (•iiltl  niiiiie 
lull  oiil  ;  Mild  wIimI  iinme  lliat  .■.lr!iM;';er  went  l>y  i  •.  |i!i;l 
e    were    MlrMi'dil     iiiid    l»u^    like    V(»'i     voiin(£ 


iiie    now 


II 


eliMp,  willi  |t,'ile  I'jiie  Mild  vfiller  liMir,  like  lITu  vounj/;  |.(fil, 
and  M  skj-ldiir  eye,  (|i)iel  ^\^^  n  j>i^eon,  somelirrv  liko 
licrs." 

"Mr.  Kodney!"  rx<dMiined  Miv.  A  vondnle,  "  e»nil<l  it 
he  poMMilde  iIimI  my  liil  ItMiid  Klionld  revive  mikI  e^ejipe, 
wlien  I  saw  liiiii  I'mII  unioii^  the  dead?  (lood  in  in,  f 
pray  yon,  ^ive  nii";  soin*'  Inrllier  hope.  |)i(|  llii-;  rnarj 
toll  yon  whence  he  eaine,  and  vvhilher  he,  vva-^  n'*'"f?» 
when  Im  was  rohhrd  ?  " 


A 


y,  ay,   inislre- 


aiiswercd 


.laeoh 


he    were   nf»- 


\va 


'H    close;     he    lidJed    as    how    he 


were.  e(»rnin';   uoin 


(Jolimihia  river,  and  were  vva;j;oniii^  over  prairii;  Id  Ih' 
CorlM,  when  Iheni  re<|-skins  fell  on  him.  And  how  he 
kept  liin  hair  is  strange;  hnl  I  eaJkerlate,  they'd  f»f',eri 
dniv  off'  somehow,  and  he,  were,  pieked  up  l»y  sorrH! 
trappers.  He  l(dled  as  how  it  were  day->  alore  he  were 
(it  to  speak  out  ;  and  then  he  were  mad  for  'em  to  follow 
tiieni  u  gViH       Hut  it  wouldn't  do;   they  were  on  for  Uk 

33* 


M 


h  ii 


!\\)0 


Till!;    HKAU-IU'NTKHS 


^.i-i 


l« 


■•'1 


nn>nntMiii'<,  mikI  llicv  ronldn'l  be  sI(>|>|)(mI  liy  imi  sich 
notions;  (licvM  ii:\{  no  ,mII  (o  lli*  w.ir  pMlli;  liiil  liny  |i«t 
liiin  jtiin  cotnit.'niy  (ill  lie  wwv  soinnl.  Tlirn  lie  look 
ofV,  li<'r<>  Mud  lliiTc,  lip  Mild  down  piMiric  ;itid  uioiiiiImIii, 
iiivrr  lUMkin'  out  notliin'.  How  could  he,  when  I'd 
rci'koii  liis  woinnn  \vrn>  sralp*^!,  or  niny  \n*,  m[\u\\\'  to 
some  Sioux  doix  ?  " 

It  was  not  woiidcrl'iil  tliMt  INIrs.  AvoikImIc  should  ho 
M<;il;itrd  ;iiid  lillcd  wiih  hope  hy  this  rccit.-il  ol"  llic  ti'Jip- 
|>(M\  Mr.  Ixoihicy  «>\aniin('(l  liiin  minutely  iihoiit  {\w 
lime  that  liad  ela|)sed  since  th(^  lohhery  of  the  while, 
slrani:[(M-  had  taken  |)laee,  and  found  ihal  the  man  ealeu- 
hU<'d  hv  his  hea\('r  tra(hii'j. 

" 'rhre(>  year,"  said  he,  "1  traded  on  t'other  side, 
wluM-e  1  heard  (ir>t  ol'  that  joh ;  then  H>r  oilier  threo 
y(>ar  1  wcn^  away  as  far  a>  Lea^(•llwo|•lll  ;  and  lhre(? 
V(\ii' at  Laramie,  afore  this  last  vear  as  Txcnol  traded 
..  cent  ;  and  1  j;ness  that  eonnls  nj)  ten  year  hy  trapper 
lun  . 

Mr.  Kodiiev  could  not  contr.adict  the  slalement  ;  and 
thouiih  he  was  f(>arlul  lo  enconra;;*'  the  hopes  of  tin; 
excitiMl  wifi'  too  nuicli,  it  was  iiii|)ossihle  lo  <h'ny  that 
there  was  som(>  foundation  lor  them.  No  longer  fear- 
ing to  (Mnbark  in  tlu*  skin-coracle,  she  was  im|)atient 
only  for  the  moment  of  deparlur(%  which  was  only  de- 
layed till  the  eontenis  of  Jacob's  cdr/ie  —  a  huge  packet 
of  skins  ami  a  consideiahle  store  (d' annnunition  —  were 
transferred  to  one  of  tlu>  boats,  with  the  exception  of 
S(;ine  of  the  })0wder  and  .shot,  which,  for  fear  of  acci- 
dents, was  distributed  among  the  men  who  were  to 
walk. 

Then  they  took  leave  of  the  huts,  and  embarked  in 
the  frail   bo.-its,  Captain   Scruton   undertaking  to  steer 


OK    Tlir,    ItOCKT    MOIJNTAINH. 


\}\ 


flir  first,  in  uliicli  wcif  ArticlifT'c  ninl  .I;ir(»li,  I)(i.iii4  jind 
I'lil.  Dick  iMMiMi^zcil  llir  sccuikI,  wliicli  <'(>iitMiiHM|  ihn 
livi'  uoinni  iind  Mr.  Kodiiry,  Iliilmrc  n--.i^rm;;  in 
]):i)|(|lin<x.  Iliit'old,  .loliii,  William,  .'uid  Mike  wnlki'd 
iil<»n;j;  llic  hanks,  uiMncd  rciidy  lot'  ju'lioii  ii^jiin-it  j^nrn« 
or  loi'^;.  Tin'  rivrr  lor  nuiiiy  niil»'H  confiniM'd  lo  ho 
so  sIimIIow  Mmt.  tin"  oidy  d!ii);^«'r  wim  tluit  llic  lM,;ifs 
Tni;j;lil  run  !i;j:r(»iiiid  ;   mimI  sli;_dil  ,'iiid   rrnil  m-;  iIh-  coniclcs 


were,  f'vcn    lln'  \V(tni<       could   (,ot    Mppri 


dicnd 


|)cril  in  n 


plini^c  inio  llic  river,  wliicli  vv-h  not  more  lliaii  three  or 
(our  Icct  drc|t.  liilijc  cxcilion  hcjn^  rcfjuircd  in 
piiddlin';  (low/  the  stre.-un,  they  .'ill  enjoyed  the,  IVc-ih  air 
on  the  water,  niid  ihe  cool  sha(h'  oC  the  overhan'rin'' wil- 

d 


lows 


w 


nie  Ihe  nnnien-je  ninnl)er  ol  li>h  sportni;^  arouiM 


(■(id. 


them  prechnh'd  all  <liead  oC  Caniirn'. 

lint  helore  h)n;^  the  l)aid<s  heeanici  steeper,  fhou;:jh 
still  ;j;r(' Ml  and  covered  with  frees;  and  tin;  river,  now 
an^jjnienled  hy  several  sletider  trihiitaries,  increased  in 
depth,  and  rccpiired  careCiiI  navij^ation,  which  rnllier  re- 
joiced Captain  Scrnton,  who  had  (rotted  at  tht  dead 
calm  of  tho  shallow  water. 


89 


») 


Till:    KKAU  III :NTI.U8 


i\ 


(MiArrKK  xwiv 


The  Hoavor  l.oil^os.  —  Tlu'  I, inky  (>poHsiiiu  — A  Sj»y  in  llit>  Hush.  — 


.'uroh'H    l><u'(rino    of    IMi>r«litv, 


A    I'lizo.  —  ('iiiiljiin    Srruton'l 


FltH'l. —  Tilt'  Indian  I'.nctinipincnl.  —  An  rnscas<>nal)lf  ('<Migh. 


Auk  \\<'  cotniiij;  lo  a   iMpid,  .lacol. 


aid  Ciiplain 


SiMulon.  '*  Wlial  is  thai  liltic  islaiid  ov  ix-iiin^iila,  nm- 
niiii;  oMi  at  the  norlli  bank,  wliich  oaiiscs  lliis  oiinnit 
ll>nt  lorocs  us  lo  llu'  south?" 

"  It's  a  l)('av<'r-tlain.  and  notliinfjj  I'Isc,  I  }j;uoss,"  said 
tlu'  ohl  trapprr,  nuicli  excited.  "  I'd  like  to  hv  '^om  in, 
anyliow.  It  i!;o<'s  aiiin  natu"'  to  turn  awa}  rrt)ni  ln'av<'r- 
skins  :  Imt,  sartainly,  trade's  bad  now.  Anyhow  w«''ll 
p(>t  tail  to  eat  ;  and  beaver-tail,  that's  first-rate.  There, 
cappen,  there,  ye  s»'<'  ihein  erilters;  they've  felled  them 
two  trees,  sliek  and  clean  as  your  carpenter  even  could 
do  it.  Thev're  cute,  they  are;  and  have  their  meetins 
and  hould  talks  ;  and  ivery  critter  does  his  work  as  la 
set  out  lor  him  as  nat'ral  as  vouiiij;  'uns  at  school ;  and 


k. 


nivcr  a  word  as  a  man  can  make  out. 

"Sure,  thin,  Mr.  dacob,"  said  Dennis,  "if  that  same 
be  thrue,  won't  it  be  alto<i;ether  one  of  the  wondlhers  of 
the  world,  seein'  I'm  the  man  to  say  it  ;  it's  hard  lines 
to  be  kapin'  them  boys  at  their  tasks  that  has  scmIs  lo 
be  saved;  and  how  the  masther  will  be  manaj^ing  them 
born  brute-bastes  is  beyond  me  altogether;  it  passes  the 
world.  And  where  are  they  gettin  their  axes  to  cut 
down  these  big  threes?  " 

"  It's  their    natur',  old  chap,"   replied   Jacob  ;    "  it's 


-».("  f" 


(H      nil.     UnCKV     MCMNIAINrt. 


303 


r\iton'i 

uptiiin 
»,  nn»- 

„"  sjiul 
p\n  in, 
Ix'uvrr- 

'riu'iT, 

(1  (Immu 
in  {'ouUl 

nct'tins 
Ik  us  is 

)\ ;  ami 

It  same 
Ihors  of 

Id  liiH'*^ 

HVils  to 

|(r  them 

kses  the 

to  cut 


thrir  sharp  Irrtli  m  dors  il.  lilr-n  ye,  tlirir  tnil  xiid 
Ihi'ir  hinuls  —  hiimls  llu-y  li.-ivr,  and  'iin's  sarlaiii  —  llicjr 
list'  hdlrr  noi"  mII  (Im  looU  ytuiv  lindilrrs  ran  hriii^. 
Manx's  llu'  l(>d;j;«'  I've  looked  inK>,  lloond  and  plastf-md 
liko  a  trader's  parlor;  and  sharp  as  a  needle  is  tlicin 
dial's  workers.  Ihit  lliin,  there's  Ihcm  atnon;;  \'iu  as  in 
IdiM  critters,  us  doesn't  do  a  stroke,  and  lives  lonely  hy 
thrirselves  ;  and  v/«'  trappers  reckons  'em  nil  as  one,  as 
your  town-folks  ;  others  says  as  how  llicy'i**!  ro^^uj's  an 
is  sinit  np  in  jail.  Ihit,  soinehows.  it's  hard  itiakin'  out 
plain  iheir  (pwer  laws,  like.  Look  ye,  cappen  !  yon's  a 
fellow  piillin'  lip  his  nose;  it  seems  pniiul'ial  lo  leave 
j^ood  meat  ami  skins." 

"  Unnalnral  or  nol,  .laeoh,"  answered  Seriiton,  "  w»! 
shall  not  moor  lo  ealtdi  heaver  ;  we,  arr  not  short  of 
provision,  and  we've  no  loom  for  more  skin.-?.  My  way 
is,  lo  mak«!  sail  when  tin;  wind's  fair." 

The  hoys,  as  W(dl  Jis  .lacoh,  I'e^iji'elled  lo  pass  the  hea- 
ver lod;^<'s  ;  hut  delays  were  datijj^erous.  The  young 
men  who  wcra  eompelled  to  walk  wcMit  on  (dieerfnlly, 
Iltth;  encumhered  with  hnrdens,  thonj,;h  iheir  path  at 
lenijrth  hecaino  somewhat  tedious  and  inlri(;ate  amoii'' 
tlie  forest  ma/e.  Thkjs  res(!nihlin^  the  ash,  the  oak, 
and  th(!  ehn  of  Kn^land,  were  mingled  with  the  pecul- 
iar products  of  the  soil,  the  maph;,  the  white  cedar,  the 
hickory,  the  cotton-wood,  and  the  majestic  tulip-tree, 
witii  its  red  and  yellow  flowers.  Moss-grown  and 
knotted,  mfvny  of  these  trues  seemed  to  have  lasted  for 
ages,  unmolested  hy  man,  and  were  liid<ed  together  hy 
wild  vines,  convolvuli,  and  thousands  of  hrilliant  creep- 
ing plants,  which,  flinging  their  graceful  tendrils  from 
ti'ee  to  tree,  formed  a  hright  canopy  of  netwr.rk  abov» 
the  heads  of  ^he  travellers. 


Ill 


m 


i  ^ 


'r,--f 


lit:/- 


891 


TIIK    Ml  AIC-MIN  rr,I{:* 


Tlil-i  would  have  been  channinj;,  had  it  not  bcr'h  fiji 
u  stuhhorn  ^I'owth  of  underwood.  nu>li('s  of  cactiis,  of 
rich-cohjrcd  roses,  of  bright  riioiKxh'iuh'on. ,  and,  where 
the  banks  shaped  to  the  water,  of  tall  canes,  made  the 
march  toil-ionu!,  and,  but  for  the  axes  us(;d  by  .John  and 
William,  it  would  have  been  impossible. 

*'  Sure,  thin,"  said  Mike,  "  av  we  eome  on  more  bud 
bits,  \^ouldn't  yer  homier  be  ehoosing  to  sail  in  the  cap- 
tain's I  oat,  seein'  there's  room  in  that  same,  and  them 
geftin'  on  like  race-horses." 

"  It  would  be  stupid  work,  crowded  in  that  cockle- 
shell, INIike,"  said  Harold;  "we're  a  thousand  times 
better  off  walking.  Didn't  you  hear  how  Pat  begged  to 
be  landed  ? " 

"  It's  running  up  the  threes  he'd  be,"  said  Mike, 
"  aft  her  the  turkey  poulthry  ;  would  yer  honnor  be 
hearin'  them  gobblin'?" 

"  I  must  be  very  deaf  if  I  didn't  hear  them,  boy," 
replied  Harold.  "  Tlien^  must  be  himdreds  in  these 
trees.  What  can  that  little  white  animal  be,  that  is 
staring  at  us  from  the  tall  [)lum-tree,  while  it  eats  the 
fruit  from  its  paws  like  a  squirrel  ?  I  suspect  it  must 
be  an  opossum." 

"  Is't  game,  think  ye,  sir  ?  "  said  John.  "  Could  we 
have  a  shot  at  it  ?  " 

"  Jacob,"  called  Harold  to  the  boats,  "  is  the  opossum 
eatable  ?  Is  it  worth  while  to  expend  powder  and  shot 
on  it?" 

"  Well,"  answered  Jacob,  "  we  trappers  is  no  ways 
nice  about  meat ;  little  comes  wrong  to  us,  I  calkerlate, 
short  of  man-meat,  and  it  needs  a  red-skin  to  get  that 
down.     'Possum's  white  and  juicy,  and  good  for  some 


OF    Tin*    UOCKT    MOUNTAINS. 


395 


\»lion    tluTcV    plenty ;  hut    it    takes    a    heap    to    iimke 


Id  we 

)ssum 
shot 

I  ways 
frlate, 
that 
Isomo 


Hxiiii:;s  (or  lliis  lot  here" 

So  Harold  con-iderod  when  he  lookv'd  at  the  nianj 
months,  and  he  tln'refon*  spared  the  liith^  op<)>s'im; 
which,  alniady  alarmed  at  the  unwonted  sound  of  the 
voice  of  man  in  tlu;  silent  forest,  had  run  with  a<^ility 
to  the  hi;j;hest  part  of  the  tree,  roiin<l  one  of  the 
branches  of  which  it  had  curled  its  l(»njf  tail  to  secure 
its  position  ;  and  I'rom  thenc<',  half  hii";"d  in  the 
tendrils  of  the  creepin;^  vines,  it  darted  keen  glances 
from  its  dark  iiyna,  and  showed  its  little  siiarp  teeth  in 
ludicrous  defiance  of  its  powerful  foes. 

*'  If  we  had  been  famished,"  observed  Harold,  "  the 
boM  little  animal  would  not  have  come  off  so  well ;  but 
it's  hardly  worth  firing  a  shot  at." 

And  perha[)s  bringing  th«,'  Indians  on  us,"  said  Wil- 
liam ;  at  which  alarming  suggestion,  John  started  back 
under  cover  of  the  trees,  and  looked  fearfully  round. 


(( 


"  Now,  just  listen  to  me,  .John,"  said  his  master,  "  we 
are  four  stout,  well-armed  fellows,  able  to  ])ut  a  whole 
tribe  of  cowardly  Indians  to  flight ;  and  if  I  see  you 
shirk  again,  and  show  the  white  feather,  I'll  put  a  ball 
into  you  myself,  and  get  rid  of  you.  So,  now  you  know 
what  you  have  to  expect." 

John  groaned  ;  but  roused  by  the  laughti^  of 
William  and  Mike,  he  replied,  "  I'd  not  mind  a  fair 
8tand-up  fight  with  one  like  myself,  sir,  but  they  say 
as  how  them  savages  roast  and  eat  men  ;  it's  unknown 
what's  in  'em  for  bloody-mindedness,  sir ;  Ilahnee, 
yonder,  she  tells  fearful  tales  on  their  doings." 

"You  simpleton,"  said  Harold,  "to  let  a  woman's 
tales  make  a  coward  of  you.  I  tell  }ou  they  are  more 
nfraid  of  you  than  you  can  be  of  ♦Lera,  aiid  if  ynu'll 


896 


TIIK    BKAR-IIUNTKK9 


I     ;t 


■|!i: 


Btand  up  like  a  man,  we'll  take  care  they  don't  make  a 
roast  of  you." 

Usually,  at  the  end  of  a  day's  travelling,  tliey  came 
on  some  little  cove,  where  a  grassy  sloj)ing  bank, 
backed  by  tlie  forest,  offered  a  convenient  landing- 
place  ;  and  here  they  encamped  for  the  night  ;  moored 
the  valuable  boats,  lighted  fires,  cooked  their  dry  meat, 
and  spreading  the  skins,  slept  till  inorning.  And  for 
some  time  their  pi'ogress  was  easy  and  pleasant.  Tiie 
hunters  killed  a  deer ;  they  even  saw  buflaloes  at  a 
distance  ;  but  Cai)tain  Scruton  would  not  consent  to  any 
delay  while  provisions  were  still  abundant  with  them. 
Once  they  saw,  with  covetous  eyes,  a  troop  of  wild 
horses,  feeding  in  a  glade,  but  so  watchful  and  shy,  that 
they  fled  like  lightning  as  they  detected  the  approach  of 
the  intruders. 

"  There'd  be  some  sense  in  it,  Will,"  said  John,  "  if 
we  could  light  on  a  few  fair  good  hackneys,  as  would  be 
suiting  this  here  queer  road ;  then,  may -be,  we'd  get  on 
like  Christians.  Please,  sir,  if  you've  a  chance  of  catch- 
ing any  of  them  skittish  beasts,  I'd  soon  break  'em  in. 
I'd  manage  that  there  job  better  nor  fightin'  niggers." 

"Truly,  I  believe  you,  John,"  replied  his  master; 
"but  the  important  preliminary,  'first  catch  your  horse,' 
is  the  greatest  difficulty.  The  Sioux  had  the  trick  o^ 
the  lasso,  perfect,  but  we  have  none  of  us  had  prac- 
tice." 

"  Miss  Ellen  was  learning  "Will  and  T,  a  bit,  yer 
honn(^r,"  said  Mike  ;  "  and  sure,  didn't  I  noose  some 
fawns  and  turkeys?  but  these  same  beasts  are  raal  race- 
horses, and  it's  not  asy  they'd  be  to  trap." 

"And  very  hard  to  hold,"  added  William.  "One 
might  lasso  a  careless  outsider,  but  I  don't  think  we've 


I    r' 


OF    THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


397 


^    -l 


legs  and  arms  to  run  with  liim,  and  liold  the  lasso 
firm." 

"  We'll  make  a  trial  in  full  fo'ce,  if  we  can  surprise 
another  troop,"  said  Harold. 

That  night  there  was  a  consultation  on  the  scheme  ; 
lassos  were  produced  and  repair(;d,  and  new  one8 
made.  The  travellers  were  still  more  anxious  to 
obtain  some  certain  and  exi)edilious  mode  of  com- 
pleting their  journey,  when,  in  the  darkiiess,  they 
heard  in  the  wood,  the  simulated  cry  of  the  night-bird, 
which  they  now  recognized  as  the  Indian  signal. 
Jacob  and  Arnclitfe,  especially,  were  confident  that  the 
enemies  were  at  hand. 

"  Doubtless  we  are  watched,  and  probably  sur- 
rounded," said  Arncliffe  ;  "  but,  so  long  as  we  watch, 
and  show  we're  ready,  the  cowards  dtire  not  oi)enly 
attack  us.  Concealment  would  be  of  no  use  now, 
they've  seen  our  fires  ;  we  must  use  defiance,  loud 
talking  and  a  random  shot  mi^ht  tell." 

Jacob,  seated  on  his  skins,  was  examining  his  rifle 
and  looking  stealthily  around,  when  Ilahnee  glided 
behind  him,  and  whispered  some  Indian  words.  lie 
remained  still  for  a  minute  or  two,  then  sudd(inly  raising 
his  gun,  he  fired  into  an  opposite  thicket.  A  yell  and  a 
deep  groan  followed,  and  the  old  trapper  quietly  said, 
"  He's  gone  under,  he  has.  I'd  like  to  lift  the  hair 
myself;  some  on  ye  trail  out  the  canion." 

Stunned  with  the  unexi)ected  event,  for  a  moment 
no  one  stirred,  till  Pat,  peeping  into  the  thicket,  cried 
out,  "  Sure  isn't  he  kilt  entirely,  John,  and  wouldn't 
be  harming  ye  at  all  av  ye  were  pullin'  him  out  of  the 
bush." 

As  soon  as  tl  ey  collected  their  senses,  John  and  Dick 

84 


./ 


1 


VEj;';  *-'°W);   ".     ,"-' 


I-     .! 


I  My  -  self  I' 


iJ'  ^:! 


i    , 


SD8 


THE    BEAR-HUNTERS 


drew  from  the  thicket  the  dead  body  of  an  Indian,  whd 
liad  been  shot  through  tlie  heart.  Pie  was  a  naked,  fe- 
rocious-hjoking  Sioux,  painted  for  war,  and  j)robably  a 
great  warrior,  for  he  wore  several  scal[)s  suspended  to 
his  girdle,  one  of  wliich,  witii  long  fair  liair,  was  evi- 
dently that  of  a  white  woman.  His  hand  was  on  hia 
bent  bow,  ready  to  draw  it  with  deadly  intent,  if  his 
own  life  had  not  been  arrested. 

"I  cannot  applaud  this  deed,  Jacob,"  said  Mr.  Rod- 
ney, shocked  at  the  sight.  "  To  shiy  a  fellow-creature 
in  cold  blood  is  against  all  laws.  True,  he  was  pre- 
pared for  aggression,  but  that  fact  you  were  ignorant  of 
when  you  shot  him." 

"  Ugh  ! "  growled  Jacob.  "  Wiiat  war  he  about  here, 
glaring  upon  us,  coiled  in  the  bush  ?  War  it  in  the 
friendly  way  ?  War  he  comin'  to  fetch  meat  and  ekins 
to  his  phle  brothers?  or  war  he  come  to  take  hair?  I 
guess  he  war  ;  and  if  he'd  catched  ye  all  sleepin',  ye'd 
have  felt  queer  and  cold  when  ye  waked  up,  wantin' 
your  skull-caps.  He's  a  Sioux  dog,  and  they  eat  and 
drink  blood.  He's  well  out  of  way.  Reach  me  over 
a  knife,  young  un,  and  I'll  let  ye  see  how  to  do  the 
thing  as  it  on<:;ht." 

But  Mr.  Rodney  and  Harold  remonstrated  with  him, 
the  Irishwomen  screamed,  and  Ellen  seized  the  old 
man's  arm,  and  with  her  eyes  sparkling  with  indigna- 
tion, upbraided  him  for  being  an  Indian  at  heart,  though 
be  had  a  white  skin,  and  believed  in  God. 

"  Well,  then,  gal,  that's  all  true,"  said  he.  "  I'se  no 
better  nor  them,  I  guess,  for,  ye  see,  them  'at  looks 
long  on  blood  larns  to  like  looking  on  it.  May-be  it's 
not  Christen,  sartain,  it's  noways  tould  on  in  Bible.  But 
look  at  this  here  wolf,  what  heaps  he's  put  down  for  that 


OF    THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


399 


,  who 
a,  fe- 
ibly  a 
ed  to 
s  evi- 
Dn  Uia 
if  his 

>.  Kod- 
•eature 
IS  pre- 
>rtint  of 

ut  here, 
,  in  the. 
id  »kins 
air  ?     1 
lin',  ye'd 
wantin' 
eat  and 
|ne  over 
do  the 

lith  him, 
the  old 

lindigna- 
I,  though 

I'se  no 
lat  looks 

-be  it's 
lie.    But 

toT  that 


hail  lie's  wearing ;  and  them  had  not  been  th'  last  if  T'd 
been  fool  enougli  to  let  him  have  hU  way,  for  ye  mark 
he's  a  brave.  Now  then,  what's  them  women  healing 
out  like  huffier  cows  about  ?  " 

"  Tiie  poor  Indian  had  perliaps  a  squaw  and  papoo- 
ses, Jacob,"  said  Ellen  ;  "  and  thvy  will  be  very  sorrow- 
ful to  find  him  lying  murd(M'ed." 

"  Not  they,  gal,"  answered  Jacob.  "  There's  never  a 
Jack  among  them  Sioux  as  wouldn't  eat  his  own  g»"and- 
mother  if  meat  war  soarce,  and  she  war  not  over  tough. 
I  guess  I  know  them." 

"  And  I  know  them  too,"  answered  Ellen,  indig- 
nantly ;  "  wretched  and  ignorant  they  are,  for  they  be- 
lieve they  are  doing  right  when  they  are  doing  wrong ; 
but  they  do  love  their  papooses,  and  the  little  ones  too 
scream  with  joy  to  see  the  father  return  from  the 
Ininting-path  with  game,  or  from  the  war-path  with 
6oalj)s.  He  is  their  father,  and  therefore  they  love 
him.'' 

Jacob  listened  to  the  assertions  of  the  ardent  girl 
with  a  chuckling  and  contemptuous  laugh.  lie  had  a 
mean  oi)inion  of  mankind  in  general ;  but  the  Indians 
he  placed  in  the  lowest  scale,  even  below  the  brute 
beasts;  and  though  not  by  nature  unkind,  Mr.  Rodney's 
words  had  not  yet  imparted  to  him  the  true  philanthropy 
of  Christianity. 

"  There's  one  thing  clear,  captain,"  said  Arncliffe, 
"  you  must  order  out  the  boats  without  delay.  The 
whole  tribe  will  soon  be  pouring  down  here  to  find  us 
ready  fixed  in  a  trap.  We  might  liave  a  chance  to 
fight  them  on  fair  open  ground ;  but  here,  with  this 
thicket  around  us,  they  can  lie  snug,  and  mark  us  off 
one  after  another  with  their  sure  arrows." 


I 


J 


k  ;l  i        i 


t!iA 


ii 


K- 


'      ! 

'i 


400 


THE    BKAU-llUNTKUS 


"  I  disn|)j)r()ve  of  such  a  syslcin  of  warfViro  alto. 
pctluT,'' said  SiTulon,  "  it's  a^jainst,  all  iT^^iilar  aiul  iion« 
orablc  i)riiu'i|)lcs.  Vicioi}"  brings  no  glory,  and  a  d(>f«Mit 
is  a  massacre.  Now,  I  declare  lliat  shooting  down  that 
spy  withont  a  court-martial  was  dastardly,  and  I  will- 
ingly resume  my  petty  commanil,  to  escape  IVom  am- 
bush or  stratagem.     Marlin,  nmnoor." 

"Unmoor  if  is,  cnptain,"  said  Dick,  "and  a  good  rid- 
dance of  dirty  hmd-skirmishing,  say  I.  Pull  a^vay,  my 
hearties." 

Onward  shot  the  light  boats  in  the  moonlight,  and 
wearily  the  pedestrians  took  the  road,  disMppointed  of 
the  rest  re(piired  by  the  toil  of  the  day;  but  they  had 
not  proceeded  two  hundred  yards,  when  Harold  heard 
Scruton  hailing  him  :  "  Mr.  CroiU)n,  please  to  descend 
to  the  beach,  and  report  what  object  that  is  we  seo 
moored  beneath  the  bushes." 

*'  It  looks  all  same  as  a  dug-out,  I  calkerlate,"  grum- 
bled Jacob,  who  was  yd  surly  at  his  disappointment 
about  the  scalp. 

Harold  descended  the  banks,  and  lound  moored  to  a 
hirge  willow,  by  a  thick  rope  of  twisted  sinews,  a  large 
clumsy  canoe,  formed  of  the  trunk  of  a  tne,  roughly 
hollowed  cut,  and  rudely  shaped  into  something  like  a 
boat  in  form,  capacious  enough  to  contain  half  a  dozen 
people,  but  withont  rudder  or  oars.  At  the  bottom 
lay  a  paddle,  a  stone  tomahawk,  a  bark  bucket,  and  a 
coil  of  rope,  made,  like  the  mooring-cable,  of  twisted 
ginews. 

"  Hurrah !  my  boys,"  cried  Harold  ;  "  here's  a  rest- 
ing-place for  our  weary  legs.  I  can  use  my  arms ;  but 
I  could  net  have  walked  much  further.  Step  in,  and 
(all  into  line  ;  captain,  reckon  us  number  three.     I  con 


OF    TIIR    UOCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


401 


rliule  this  is  a  fair  prize,  —  Jacob's  spoil  of  the    ran 
qnished." 

"  Weil,  I  guess,"  said  the  trapper,  "the  dnjj-out's  my 
ri^ht,  seein'  it  were  yon  imiiderin'  dog's  fixiti'.  We'll 
trade,  Mr.  Crof'ton,  a  hit  later;  now  make  on,  they'll  be 
lying  sonieways  on  llie  ereek,  and  ye'd  safer  keep  a 
quiet  ton<!:;ne,  Tni  thinkin'." 

The  bark,  Ihongh  heavy,  floated  w<'ll  down  the  now 
rapid  river,  an<l  they  ((uickly  passed  alotig  the  banks, 
till  the  half-extingnishe(l  remains  of  an  Indian  eamp- 
lire,  a  few  yards  fiotn  ihe  iianks,  showed  a  dark  crowd, 
n'cliniiig  or  silling,  but  all  so  still  that  th<!  voyagers 
judged  llwy  w<'re  slee|)ing,  and  the  liist  impidse  of 
Jacob  was  aggression,  the  sight  of"  a  number  of  horses 
near  being  a  great  temptation  ;  but  Mr.  Kodney  and 
Captain  Scrulon  W(!re  eipially  averse  to  h(>stilily  when 
the  numbers  were  so  dis[)roportioned,  and  the  motiv(j 
was  robbery. 

*' That  may  be  law  on  the  prairies,  Jacob,''  said  Har- 
old ;  *'  but  we  English  fellows  think  that  to  fall  on 
sleejnng  men,  and  rob 
worthy  the  gallows." 


and   mu 


rder  them,   is  a  cri 


me 


"  Ugh  !  "  grtmted  Jacob ;  *'  I  guess  these  isn't  men, 
but  varmint ;  and  you  Britishers  kill  your  varmint,  I 
calkerlate,  seein'  they'd  kill  you,  if  ye  left  'em  to  their 


own  vv 


lyj 


"  My  gcK)d  friend  Jacob,"  said  Rodney,  "  you  carry 
your  animosity  too  far.  Doui)tless  these  savage  wretches 
are  dangerous  ;  but  even  in  their  nature  there  is  a  spark 
of  the  Divine  S|)irit  which  we  ought  to  quicken  rather 
than  to  (juench." 

Silence!"    said     Captain     Scriror     per*  mptorily. 
Marlin,  creep  close  to  land,  under  th»    shft'l^rw  of  the 

84* 


u 


402 


TIIF    UKAU-lirM  i:«s 


Jn>os,  Mnd  >lnn  tlir  |iMtl(ll(\       We  nnist    (lont   with  (he 


slrcMin. 


I 


v\  iu>  lUMii  inov(> 


Tlio  wmXm-  wms  Hinooih  as  a  pool  Ml  this  spol,  \vli<  r« 
the  slope  ol"  tl»o  l)!\nk  nIlow«Ml  il  lo  spic.-id,  miuI  tin? 
litllc  1I<mM  moved  slowly  and  noiselessly  on  I  ill  tlioy 
uere  iminedinloly  oppo>ite  lo  llie  IiuUm;!  cneMinptneMl, 
an«l,  ev<My  um\\\  jirMspinu;  l>i>  rille,  held  hi-t  brentli, 
anxiously  xvaitin!jj  \\u<  result.  l''or  a  moment  they 
oxtdtiMl  in  th(^  eonvieliou  that  they  >vere  passin<;  mi- 
notie<'d ;  but  an  nni'orlunale  and  ill-snppn's>ed  lit  of 
t'ouiihini;  in  old  Uennis  aroused  one  who  was  evidenlly 
plaecvl  as  a  stMJlinel,  and  his  whoop  waked  up  a  crowd 
whieli     ti)     the     distressed     iMLjitives,     app<>ared     innu- 


mei 


ahh 


Th 


o 


Id 


s» 


hoohnaster     shrunk     <Vom     tho 


hoars(>  denneeialions  ot'  the  trapper,  and  the  hitter 
inipriH'.ations  ot'  Arnelirte.  who,  takinjx  the  initiative 
]>art,  rille  in  hand,  called  out  in  th(»  Sioux  tongue, 
that  the  voya^tM's  would  spaii*  the  Indians,  if  ihi^y 
wove  allow  «mI  to  pa^is  innnolestt'd  ;  hut  it. an  arrow  was 
.shot,  they    would    lir«^    on    them,  anil    carry   otV   evt'ry 


soa 


Ipoi'tl 


u^  ret 


1-sk 


n\s. 


r 


le 


Ind 


lans    utlere( 


1    tl 


le     usual    scorn 


ful 


irntttira 


1 


tl 


10    same 


an- 


"  Uiih  !  *'  and    one    voice    answeretl    in 

guaiic.  "  Did   the  pale-laces  allow  our  hrotluM*  to  pass 

their  fires    unmolested  ?     Did    they  not  shoot    him    in 


tlie  1 


>nshes, 


lik( 


cowar( 


Is,   with    their    fire-sticks?      lit 


wOvS  a  great  bravt\  and  his  s(]uaw  .asks  for  i\\c  sealj>s  of 
thft  pale-faces  that  killed  her  husband." 

The  boats  had  by  this  time  paddled  to  tlie  oj>posi!e 
bank,  fif'tv  yards  from  their  enemies;  but  a  shower  of 
arrows  f'ollowiHl  tlu^n.  Captain  Scruton  then  called, 
"  Fire,"  and  a  volley  from  the  three  boats  created 
much   confusion    and    destruction    among    the,    Imlians, 


wmi^st- 


OF    TlfK    HOCKY    MO  Li  NT  A  INS. 


't()3 


\vli(»,  }'<'lliu;»  and  vvlM»(i|iiii^,  diicclrd  sliowrrs  oC  nirowf* 
mid  liii}r<i  stones  Mt^niiist  llicir  Jidvci'sjirics.  On**  linivy 
HtoiHi  struck  Scnilofi's  bojit  so  (oiciMy  tliiit  it  wns 
capsi/rd  ;  and  tlioii^^li  \\\r  two  Itoals  tliiit  lollovv«(| 
saved  (li(>  nxii,  tlirir  escaiu;  wan  tuiiiK'nloiis  ;  and, 
lu'avdy  laden,  the  two  boats  now  were  paddled  rapidly 
I'oi*  H  Innidred  yards,  when  a  dese«'nt  <»(  the  river 
curried  ihcni  easily  and  swillly  forward,  and  llion^^h 
tliey  heard  th(3  Indians  pn-parinj^  their  horsoH  lor  ihe 
purwuil,  thijy  now  lelt  tolenibly  out  of  danger. 


* 


'I  I 

^  ! 
It  j 


401 


Tin    nr,AK-m'NH,UR 


CII  /VP  IK  K     XXXV. 

A  Mn!»  missing.  —  A  SUirinisli.  —  A  I'ursnif.  —  MiUo  n«  n  Spy 
—  Annlid'o  in  .loopanly.  — A  roiinidiiltli'  Wcapdii.  -  'I'lio  nttaok 
of  Iho  Ambush.  —  Tlio  Tiizos  of  Vuloiv. 


M  $jil 


i 


1.    V 


I 


I'i 


Tlkask,  Capl.un  Scrnlon,"  said    l\Iik<',  "  will  \\v  :il 


bo  h(M(»  ? 


Wlial  «l(>i's  ll\{<  bov  .'<;\v  ?  "  (*im(m1  S('nil(»n. 


II 


llloo, 


Marlin,  is  any  one  ttussitii;.  What  hands  have  yon  on 
ln>ard  ?     C\all  ovor  the  nani(>s." 

Tho  darkn«'ss  riMuhii^l  this  |)ro('(\ss  nocossarv  ;  lh<! 
names  wvvo  oallod,  and  it  was  fonnd  that  ArnclilVo  was 
nii>sing.  To  ivtnrn  to  scareh  lor  iiiin  wonhl  iiavo 
boon  madness,  and  by  tins  time  lie  mnst  have  oseajx'd 
to  land  or  be  lost  ;  ami  thonirh  William  earnestly 
besonght  his  tVionils  to  land  him  that  ho  mi;;ht  seek 
his  fatluM",  his  onlreatios  wore  disn^pmlcd,  lor  already 
the  tramplinu:  of  the  horses  was  lieard  behin«I  them, 
and  the  first  eare  of  all  was  to  prepare  i'or  defenee,  il'  they 
were  overtaken. 

•*  They're  mad,  the  eriltiM's  ! '"  said  ilaeol)  :  "  all  about 
Jliat  doiX  with  his  seilps  as  I  put  down;  and  they'll  not 
settle  atore  they  lift  hair.  1  cuess  ArnelifVe  will  have 
to  bide  a  heap,  if  he  hadn't  gnmpti-ni  to  seek  l\)thor 
bank.  1  seed  him  rise  and  swim  oii.  Will,  lad  ;  but  I 
sot  it  down  he  war  ta'en  in  von  dnjj-onf.  They'd 
better  have  trapped  me,  an  anld  eoon  as  none  cares 
for.     I  ean't  abide  to  see  ye.  lad,  so  hard  up  about  him. 


for  I 


gues 


he  war  s^oino  short  in  th' 


way 


of  a  father. 


OK   riir,  u<>(;ky  M«»iiNTArN«. 


40/) 


n    Spr 
attack 


wv 


all 


lllll«H), 
^'Oll   Oil 

' ;    llx; 

llllV«^ 

<('i\|>r<l 
jnu'slly 
t  st'i'k 
licady 
ihcm, 
ii"  tlu'y 

alioiil 
•Ml  not 
ll  have. 
It'otluT 

but    I 

Irhoy'ti 

cares 

lit  him. 
1      '* 


Thf'iT  was  no  nioir  limr  lor  word-:  ii(»lvtill(4fainlinj;5 
(hr  (inick  aii<l  ra^^y  •ili<lili<;  of  ihr  Itoal-^,  uuu  \\\v,  i<»iin;h 
load  alon;j;  the  hanks,  ihr  hoi'si'iiu'n  wvyv.  noon  up  to 
thi'in,  and  it  was  iirccssary  to  coinr  to  a  conlcsf.  Srni- 
(<»n  oidrrcd  tho  hcavily-ladrri  hoats  to  lio  i\y\  vn  up  to 
the  opposite  hanks,  and  moored;  then  (h<y  landed  thfi 
iien-eireelive  force,  who  look  rel'ii^f!  hchind  a  jnttiii'j; 
era^,  whiN-  the  rest  wei-e  (hNich'd  info  two  parties,  and 
ordered  to  (ire  ahernafely,  that  they  nii;!;hl  hM\c  lime  to 
rdoach      Thr  arrcnvs  were   poured  amon^  tliem,  hut  th«! 


darkness  prevented  any  (hreel  ann,  and  the  men  wcin 
|)Ia('ed  at  a.  (hslanet^  IVoim  eaeh  other,  that  they  mi^dit 
escape   the  sharp  weapons.      I»iit.  the  contiiuiont  fire  of" 


tl 


le  v(»yajjers  was  i 


hadly 


in   ( 


(I'ect. 


and   the   ;^roans  aru 


yells  from  tin;  Indians  were  fearful.  After  a  contest 
of  a  (piarter  of  an  hour,  the  horsemen  had  plainly  suf- 
fered so  much  that  (hey  refused  to  stand  the  hrunt  of 
(he  uneipial  wea|)ons  Ion;ji;er ;  and  finally,  the  whole 
party  rode  off,  and  hy  the  dim  li;j;ht  of  dawnitif^  day 
(heir  an(a;Tonis(s  saw  that  they  were  canyin^  of!"  tlif 
wounded  hefon;  (hem,  on  (lieir  hor^<^s.  As  they  i^i\\ 
loped  off   a  faint  cry   was  heard,  — "  Fcdiow  the   trai' 


Hiid 


sav(>  me 


ant 


1  tl 


ley  r(M'0}^jnze<l    Ifie  voice  ot    Ar 


th 


,f  Ai 


cliffe,  whom    llalmee  asserted  she  had  seen,  tied  to  a 
horse,  in  the  midst  of  the  cavalcatle. 

'I'he  first  care  of  the  victors  was  to  a^^certain  if  all 
were  safe.  John  alone  was  wounde<l  ;  he  had  rcctdved 
two  arrows,  one  throun;h  his  shoultler,  and  the  second 
had  j)ierced  his  ear,  hut  the  injuries  were  not  imj)or(ant; 
Mr.  Rodney  cut  off  tin;  points  of  tht;  arrows,  and  drew 
them  from  the  wounds,  ;nid  the  man  was  soon  in  a  fair 
way  to  do  well,  thou^^h  in  no  condition  to  he.  useful  foi 
some  time. 


m 


m. 


iOC)  Tiir.  niAiMirNirus 


"Now  (or  111.'  i]v]i\  of  l>;iHl.',"  s.ii.l  IliiroI.I,  \vliil«« 
KotiiH'V  WMs  nKcinlino;  (he  woiIihIimI  immh  "  I. el  its  HO^^ 
\\\\:\t  <l;nn:ii:<'  \v«'  luivo  «loiu'  liclorr  \\v  set  o\\\  nHrr  llir 
villains." 

TluM-cnpon  StTi'lon,  Dick,  ntul  lio  I'fo^srd  the  rivor 
In  OM«»  o\'   (Im>  I»()m(s,  .'ind   smw   (IimI    no  Irss    (linn   fonr 


I 


»ors«'s  aiK 


I   tl 


n'('(»   men   w 


<M"<'  left   (Icjid.      IlowM.  arrow*. 


nn*l  (omaliawks  wcmc  scallciiMl  altoni,  and  wric  inuno- 
dialcly  taken  po-^^j'ssion  ol'  as  lawl'nl  prizes,  and  threw 
woinuled  lioi'st>s  w(Me  earelnlly  attended  io,  in  llie  liope 
that  they  >nij;l\t  yet  do  ser\iee.  One,  also,  had  heen 
let't  tied  io  a  tree,  overlooked  in  (he  hasty  tlinhi  ;  mdiI 
(his,  a  stfonu  mdnjin'ed  heast,  Harold  thoui^ht  was  a 
(nil  eonipensation  (or  .lohn's  injnries.  thon^h  pi'ohahly 
that  nnlneky  individnal  niiiiht  not  he  ot'  the  same  opin- 
vSeonriniX    tlu^    horses,   lliev   retni'n(>d    to    hold    a 


ion. 
ooiniei 


Wow  is  th«'  p\n'>init   to  he  eondneted,  Captain  Sern- 


ton 


aid 


1  iai't> 


Id 


ant 


1   w] 


\o  anu>n"i>t    ns  can 


hest 


niako  out  the  (rail  ? 


There's  never  a  ("oon  livin,"  said   Jaeoh,  "  eonld  (oh 


low  up  a  trail  hotter  nor  nie,  if  t'wero  not  Cor  want 
lesrs." 


()! 


T 


oannot  see  the  ]irndenee  o(  ehasm^  the  enemy  at 


f  eh 


th 


flll."  said  Seruton.  "  What  advantai^e  ean  we  ohtain  hy 
pnrsuiniT.  or  <>ven  oon(]nerin<]j,  a  party  of  destitute  sav- 
ac:(»s?  !Men  nev<M'  stand  well  to  their  liuns  ex«'ept  to 
pave  their  lives,  or  to  win  prize-money." 

"  In  this  ease.  Captain  Seruton,"  replied  Rodney,  "  we 
certainly  neither  wish  nor  hope  for  pri/e-money.  Our 
expedition  will  merely  he  one  of  duty  and  charily,  to 
gnateh  our  unlortunate  companion  iVom  the  hands  of 
ni*»iviless  torturers." 


itV    TflK    UnCKY     MOIINIAINH. 


407 


It  ()♦' 


I "  we 
Onr 
',   to 

Is  of 


Scnilnll  Iiillllcrnl,  licit  "  llir  Irll  »w  (|f-<nf'V»'l|  ]i\n 
Tnlo  ; "  l)iit  ln«  w(i,4  not  rnilly  willioiil  ^(»(i(|  (<m|ii.;^h, 
iiikI  lin  spiM'ilily  niiii--li:illr(|  llic  iivnilMlilr  Utvci'.  ll<n\» 
liry  .'iihI  IliiroM,  Dick  mimI  W  illiiiiii,  iVIikc  (iiid  Scniloii 
liiinscir,  wnr  tin'  iiiiind  inriinliy,  niul  Jiiroh  iil-o  cjiiry- 
iii^  iiKo  >i  ri(l(^  inutititrd  on  tlic  iji|)liirri|  liorsc,  lid  ilm 
Wjiy  tyn  ^niiic.  \\y  ilic  liinr  lliry  slJiit' d,  lli(>  n\\u  lm«l 
rincn,  mihI  iIh'  |»mIIi  oI'  ilir  I'li^^itivr-i  wjh  vi-*ilil«'  thi«Mif^li 
IIm*  I'ort'st.  rii*'  triiinpl)')!  tin<l(>r\vooi|  nn<l  ^iihh  uimI  (lie 
l»nit  (»!'  Iirokni  lu'iinclu's  oT  llic  IrcrM  sliowrd  llip,  pimMMj^o 
of  (lie.  lior>nii(Mi  ;  lln-y  lollovvcd  tin*  tind  lor  tlin'O 
lioiirH  ;  (hen  (Ik;  disdnit  wiiii  oi'  women  broke  on  (heir 
earn. 

"'I'lint's  their  scjniiws,"  snid  Jiieoh,  "setdn'  up  (hcdr 
dill  lor  (heir  men  ii-^  is  fjfoin-  d«»\vii.  It's  nntnr,  I  reckon. 
They're,  lestin'  a  hit  out  ol  (he  hot  snn,  and  somc^ways 
wo  must  ^el  round  tli'  varmint,  and  >-py  how  we're  to 
hriii;.":  yon  lellow  out  on  his  lix,  il'  he's  livin'yet;  and 
1  jfiiess  they're  keepin'  him  np  for  a  ^Mand  hiirnin',  (o 
please!  (hem  sfiiiealin'  s*piaws.  Here,  yonn;^  heaveT, 
vnu  ye  VN^orm  (liroii;^h  tln'in  there  l>n■^hes,  and  spy  out 
their  doin's  .slick  away  ?  " 

Mike  was  notliin*^  loth  to  nndej-take,  tlu;  officf; ;  he 
delii^hted  in  makin«j;  u  reroiinaissajicr,  and  only  wished 
fttr  l*at  to  ae(!ompany  him  on  the  v.-elcome  mission. 
lie  set  out  at  once,  trea<lin;j;  lij^hlly  over  the  trail  as 
lon^  as  he  eoidd  keep  out  of  .'-i;^dit  and  hearin;^  ot"  the 
In<lians,  then  he  crawled  beneath  the  brushwood,  till 
he  came  close  on  their  encampment.  This  was  on  the 
edge  of  a  narrow  stream,  that  crossed  u  small  clearing  in 
the  forest.  On  the  tnif  the  wounded  men  were  lying  sur- 
rounded by  the  wtiiling  women.  A  large  tire,  on  which 
some  cookinp;  was  going  on,  was  blazing  beneath  a  tall 


408 


Tlir     in  AH-IIT'NTI'HH 


I 


t:  \ 


.;  I 


fej- 


;■? 


r  I 


'<■ 


Pk. 


'H)tlon-\vt)Oi|  li-(M>.  iiikI  iniiiitl  jl  iilitiiit  twrnlv  iil)l«>  ini*n, 
lln»  l»ia\<'s  ill  the  frilx',  wrvv  r«'«'linin^,  Mnokiiijr  Hilriilly 
Aii«l  inoodilv.  Clo>(>  lo  Mikc'x  tnnbiisli  tlu'  Imr-fs  \vrn» 
rctMiiii;^;  o\\  lln'  rich  )iiass,  uilli  one  I'oro  niitl  one  liiixi 
\v^  li«'»l  (o'jclhir  to  pn'vcuf  (Iumh  stniyin;^,  Iml  each 
ltjinu'>»('tl  with  :i  sKiii  liri«ll<>,  rriitl\  lo  inoiiiif  in  a  \\u> 
intMtt. 

il()\«'  INlilsf  <litl  Ii'titr  (.»  pill  lortli  lii^  IimikI,  nil  llic 
l)OM*is,  ami  ahsdarl  (lie  lioi'>(>  iicarc-l  to  liiiii  ;  inil  lio 
nMnoinlxicd  that  his  riiniloviMciil  was  thai  <»l'a  spy,  and 
lie  cast  a  last  look  roiiiul  hd'orc  hr  should  \\ilhdra\v. 
Thf'H.  lor  the  lir>t  tiinc,  his  rye  caiijihl  ihi'  li;^iiir  of  a 
man,  homid  (o  a  tire,  at  soiiu'  distaiiro  Iroin  him,  hiil 
slill  at  lh(M'xir«Muily  ol'  tin'  ^lado.  Ilo  saw  that  it  was 
Anu'hlVc,  and  tliat  no  one  was  ix'ar  him,  and  he  (•«tnld 
not  resist  avaihiii;  himx'll  ol"  this  ()|>porl unity  of  spoak- 
inp:  to  him  ;  he  tli«'rol'oro  slowly  and  raiilion^ly  drew 
hack,  and,  windin<r  through  the  hii>h('s  jit  a  >alo  distaiuM*, 
ilrcw  n(>ar  tin'  glado  innu«'«liai('ly  hchind  the  prisoner. 

He  a(haiuMMl  (>v<'n  to  the  i>aek  ol  llu*  tree  to  wiii«'h 
hi^  was  hound,  and  whispered  very  softly,  v  I  ^lele,  it's 
mvsell',   Mike;  don't  you    be  novin'at    a 


}■' 


ill. 


r 


eiit 


the  Vi 


oiies. 


First  ho  stretched  out  his  hand  and  severed  tl»e  rope 
that  h(>iind  \'\o  lej^s,  lhi>n,  drawin<:j  himself  ii|)  <'reet 
behiiul  the  tliiek  trunk  ol"  the  tree,  1m'  cut  that  which 
went  round  it.  and  whieh  conliiu^l  tlu'  arms  of  the. 
prisoner,  who  now   stood   free,  hut   prudiMitly   remained 


nnniov 


ahh 


I'm  lavinir  the  knife  be-idc  the  tl.reo,  uncle,"  whia- 


perei 
all  ui 


1  Mik 


and  now  I'll  he  iroin'  hack  to  fetch  them 


Arnclifto  muttered  somcihinjr  about  a  gim  ;  but  Mike 


i 
I 


(F    TIIK    MnrKT    MOINTMNH. 


40'J 


liiMlriDMl  rrnin  lii^  |M'ii|uiii  piMiliiMi,  tiix)  siirrrriii  i|  in 
inuMiiij^  IIh'  Km'ii  linu  iii<^  <»I  Ihr  liKliiiiH,  lli«'  ^^M||^•^^||♦^(| 
oC  (lir  |inis«v-<  iin<l  till'  linwliiijjj  tium  oI'  (lir  \vn|ii"li 
(li'ouniii;^  tli<>  I'li-lliii^  lie  roiilil  not  iivoid  rnii  iii^  )ti 
Ills  inovniK'iils.  Mr  niH'lini  liin  rii<'tiilH  in  Mili'ly,  iiikI 
iHudc  lil-t  ir|Mii'l,  jhIiIiii^,  "Suit,  \v<»n'l  it  Im'  u  liirky 
tiiiif  to  ('(line  on  llit'iii,  iitiil  tlicy  nivrr  liiiilin'  a  iioisr  lit 


Hrnn'    llio    woinni    wil 


innkii 


a 


liifMly, 


nn< 


wnkin'  llic  m<  n  alurc  lln'}''r«^  «l<'ji(l  allo^i  tlirr.  And 
w<ndd  I  \m  Hvii'ui'  loosr  llin  Ii(»i>.<'m,  Mr,  (Tol'lon,  M'ciii* 
wo  nadr  llirni  cnliifly  ?  " 

Hold   prunonnci'd    Mik('  to  he  a  "  hlinincr,"  to  lli 


II; 


t) 


iny.slijicalion  ol'  Srniton  and  tlic  atnioyancp  of  Mr. 
Kodncy,  who  l)(>>on;^lit  liin  |in|)il  to  hpcak  Imii^H.^Ii. 
'I'licn  tlir  (jurstions  ai'oM>  how  ihry  shonM  attack  ihu 
Ha\a^('s,  or  conld  they  rch-asr  Arta  lillc  (|ni«;tly  ? 

"  WrII,  then,"  said  .Incoh,  "  IM    lik(!  to  sec,  ye.  tryin' 
that    dod^i'  on.      I  tril  ye,  tlny'd    tail  on  that  criltrr  Hko 
a>  storM)    Irotn   the   nionntain,  and    sweep  him   away  to 


ll 


HJiivcrs.  I  ;j;u('ss  we'll  hav<!  to  win  him  hack  with  lair 
leij^htin',  sooner  atal  better;  them  howling  scjuaws  i.^n't 
tiie  sort  to  spare  iiim  long." 

"'I'la'n  we  mnst  spread  our  andjnsh,"  said  Scrnfon, 
"and  give  them  broadsides  right  an<l  left  ;  and  wh<!n  we 
board  the  rascals,  Arnclille  must  take  the  op[)ortunity 
to  join  us." 

"  Depend  on  if,  he'll  break  cover  before  it  comes  to 
that,"  said  Harold  ;  "  have  we  a  spare  gun  for  him  ?" 

William  had  taken  care  to  provide  that ;  so  Mike 
taking  the  lead«  they  cautiously  drew  near  the  glade. 
They  halted  close  to  the  spot  where  the  horses  were 

that  th(!  excitement  of  the  w.>men  had 
iind  just  as  they  had  raiaed  their  riilea 


feedinj;,  and  saw 
•ious ; 


'r>' 


become  I'uri 


.    I 


35 


410 


THE    BEAR-HUNTKRS 


I'  ■■     I 


to  commence  the  attack,  one  of  the  tlistiarted  squaws 
ruslied  to  the  fire,  and,  seizing  a  flaming  log,  ran  u[)  to 
Arncliire,  who  still  retained  his  position^  as  if  bound, 
and  aimed  a  fatal  blow  at  him.  But  the  man  sprung 
unexpectedly  upon  her,  and  easily  wrested  the  formida- 
ble wea])on  out  of  her  hands ;  then,  uttering  a  whoop 
of  defiance,  he  waved  it  round  to  defend  himself  from 
his  foes,  who  now  thoroughly  roused  by  discovering  him 
at  liberty,  ran  up,  tomahawks  in  hand,  to  cut  him 
down. 

But  a  volley  from  the  ambush  at  this  moment  struck 
down  thi'ee  men  ;  and  ArnclifFe,  marking  from  whence 
the  attack  proceeded,  flung  his  ponderous  brand  into  the 
midst  of  the  Indians,  overthrowing  two,  whose  yells 
proclaimed  that  they  were  fearfully  injured;  he  then 
plunged  into  the  wood,  and  joined  his  i)reservers,  and, 
sui)plied  with  a  gun,  was  ready  to  lire  in  the  second 
volley. 

"  Spare  the  women,"  cri<!d  Harold  ;  but  this  injunc- 
tion was  unnecessary,  for  all  the  squaws  had  fled  to  the 
woods  at  the  first  alarm.  The  men  made  an  al'empt 
to  rallv,  and  discharjied  a  shower  of  arrows  against 
their  unseen  assailants  ;  but  half  of  their  number  were 
already  lying  on  the  gi'ound,  and  the  fears  of  the  rest 
niagnilied  the  strength  of  (he  enemy;  and,  aft  r  aii 
ineticctual  attempt  to  reach  their  horses,  they  finally 
retreated  after  the  women.  They  had  scarcely  disap- 
peared before  Mike  was  on  his  knees,  cutting  the 
bonds  of  the  liorses,  and  assisted  by  Arncliffe,  tying 
together  in  a  line  those  that  were  not  needed  for  th" 
party  ;  tlien,  "  mounting  in  hot  haste,"  they  rode  of^ 
carrying  away  the  whole  of  the  horses,  but,  iri  the 
U'iumph  of   victory,  still    feeling    considerable    anxiety 


tSi,^ 


OF    THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


411 


for    the    friends    they    hud    left    so    insufriciently    pro- 
tected. 

When  tliey  arrived  at  the  river,  they  saw  \vi  h  dis- 
may that  the  dug-out  in  wiiich  they  hud  crossed  had 
disappeared ;  nor  did  they  at  first  see  any  living  crea- 
ture. But  the  next  minute  Dick  "piped  out"  from  his 
warching-place,  and  was  answered  hy  Put,  who  hailed 
him  from  a  tree  on  the  opposite  banlc,  and  immediately 
after,  John  and  Iltihnee  brought  out  the  coracle,  and 
ferri(.'d  the  whole  party  across. 

Peggy  wept  at  the  sight  of  ArnclifTe,  saying,  "  Sure, 
thin,  blessins  on  yer  honners  for  bringin'  him  back,  and 
him  manin'  to  lade  a  new  life,  jihise  God.  INIusha ! 
ArncliH'e,  and  them  savages  didn't  ate  ye  up  entirely 
and  maybe  they  not  so  bad  as  they're  samin'.  liut  yo 
wouhbi't  be  horse-stalin',  sure,  seein'  ye're  bringin'  aU 
them  bastes  like  a  fair  day  ?  " 

"  I'm  somewhat  afraid,  Peggy,"  answered  Harold, 
"that  we  have  really  been  guiUy  of  such  a  brjach  of 
the  laws,  but  we  must  fancy  we  have  borrowed  the 
animals  ;  we  can  send  them  buck  when  we  have  done 
with  thim,  and  tlius  cheat  our  consiuence." 

"  Sure,  thin,  it's  neighborly,  isn't  it?"  said  Peggy, 
•'and  convanient  altogether,  seein'  them  spalpeens  went 
off'  with  the  good  boat,  and  we  tremlin*  in  the  bushes 
and  niver  knowin'  it  at  ;ill,  burrin'  Pat,  the  darlin',  up 
the  three,  looking  on,  and  spakin  soft  *'-'  us  to  be  houldin 
our  pace,  and  keopin*  quiet,  av  we  were  not  wantin'  ou! 
heads  skinned ;  God  be  praised  for  it." 

The  victors  now  heard  that  the  Indian  woman  hud 
counselled  them  to  hide  the  skin-boat ;  and  they  had 
scarcely  accompli  lied  this,  when  several  Indiuns  ap- 
peared on  the  bank  opposite  to  them,  evidently  seurcliina 


I* 

1 


4^; 


^^^\\    \n  vn  in'\  \  \  \x^ 


\\\<\\    ,onv\f    e/ui  JMr.iou  >\  hin    il\>  \      ww    tin-  iln-i  kiii.  mmi' 
\onlil    >'lW;n\^    |>i^-:<i- .^ion    o(      il     wiih.MU     oppo   iiion  ;     Mini 

h:\\)\rA  -.xwA  p;\«|iili  il  np  (l\i'    m-nn. 

^^^^•^n^,•\\^l^  .  the  U«v\i   l\;<il  bi  im\  rinpiirti,  'luil  tlir  run 
trni';  J^l.•^'«-^^  in  \\\r  (hnKi-i  ;   i\n-i    n   w  :\  :  now   M  n\!\ii>'i   i>l 

JiOMt   f<  UMiMilO    (1\;\(     ih.'V     i\'»,l    '-('rni<i|    ill.'    lio»  ,t'^.   (ll»»U;>.l» 
A\r     Kisin,  \     nH'ii'-rii    \o    'HWiiion    iho    ilrnl,    muiI    I'.llm, 

"1\>     r<  li':\    1^     du'     ]\o\'.'-..     :\\\A       1,1       ll\,  n\      «n\     lt;\rK, 
blVlluM      U'ln^M  IJ.mI      W  \\\     n.M       p\<>    p<M      \1^     il       \\.>     MIK 

^\>\>b,^l<s  .    -w\y\    i1i,^     1n\li:\n     nirili«  \n<>    \\\:\\\    \\  \]\       M\.'Si't> 
(ho<.0    |V^lo   ('lU'<>s.     i'lu\-(\:\n      <1,>>1  -  '      (luM      -;pr;(K      prMi'i'lnl 

^^^^^^K  1>(U  ilu  x   ;m^  tnm  •I.-wiM';.  -awA  hor«'  iol>bri  i,'" 

"  V;((lr    {>nU   liMXo   Imli'  \x\i.'"    <;»\<1    V';ip(!nn    Sonion. 
"  U>     li.t^    1,-ovs   o<    n;\n.>n-.  >N  o    :n>>   oiuillrtl    lo    ihr   -^j.-mI 


\\  \xrtv  iu>(  o»ir  V«x;\(,""  >->i<i  I'Urn  \\\«li>in;nuU 


W 


vrtrr;<Ni    i<    of^'  nujU'-llx    fivMi)    iho   tiwnors   Mud    (he   spoil 

*' ("^h  wiso  y,'>ni\ii  U)di:'<\  how  <io  I  1\.m\ov  (hoi*!"  sniil 
HsixMa,  Lsnsiliin^.  "1  ii>t>viih  I'lK  n  ;  w  o  w  oio  bountl 
to  p\T  up  t1u">  Kv^t  xxo  h'M\  KM)\>xvcvi.  An<l  in  (1\<>  imm(- 
tcr  of  ih<^  bsulo.  \  nu)s<  oonloss  1  tn^xor  \VU  so  Uko  ;» 
p*■^i;^^^^n  in  sii>  fioKi  \t  xx  :^<  w»\rso  th.-vu  «lo(M--s(nllvin^). 
It  WA.V  no  Ivitor  \hi\n  n  Kitfnr :  the  \\\'v\yAu\\   or(\'\«uiOM 

"  .\n«i  if  youM  !;i\(Mi  thoin  «  f;ur  oIkijioo.  sir,"  said 
Arivlifto,  *•  l\i  liko  lo  kn«>xv  xxluu  uix  v'li;u\oo  xvoiiM 
hjivf  Kvn.      If  >-ori\i  v^<  Jiod  ihom  Iv   fair  '  atllo,  .he  first 


'It 


«M      I  i»(     fftwK  V     M'i(  ^t  I  ^  f  M  4 


111 


•  <h 


n «» 


M'O 


I  til 


i>i\. 


MH 


poll 


l-:\\<1 


hwwd 


»\;\<- 


>r   !i 


1  \\  *' . 


!UU 


Ul 


M\l 


h\rst 


llil»»(»    IImm"'!    Iim    '>    iliiiic    n'MtiM     Inivr-    lie  ii    I'l     f»J'''    f  ft  / 


Mi'dl 


Ift    111 


(If  V  I .    I' 


M  'o()M»l  IIm'  ntu   '.vli'i'i|i,  (ifi'l  /  mII  fdirn- 


|nt<,'    |m    i|(t  t  <tll(|(|     fill"!     fill     "(1       V'l'M      M'M>i(  I    If     '•    "'MM'! 


ii"  lull  mI    III 


I    Ii'IIkI    fill    III'  if     '  f|l"ffl'    '  •     f'l    ffi'ifl'iiA' 


flu  V    Itii'ilil    lo   IimM   <i   (Hfifi'l    nnf    I'fi    (,    wlifii    f    Wri'   in   li'> 

)n|  lined.     'T'lIlK  »|,     (IImI       nil'tlly      ffilC'I'll      flfl'j       fflf'TI.  N(i 

iH'i  i|   Im  II    I'  I'lil    liM'fii,  ■    tvilli    'D'  !i   f    lO'i'iK  ;  I'fi  •>'(»;//•  5  " 

'I'IiIm  »»«|i»mI  ^:»M";"vlltl(  !'l||('(|  llie  ■rin^Ai'  'if  ff»*l 
niti  I'ii'lffinM".  •did  fill  (lioiijf Id -i  W'»if«  hifnrd  fifi  fli'* 
fwci-'uil  V  nl  (IimIiI  ;  ii'  flu  if  Mifffii'''  'v'lnld  '''rlfiifily 
|iin  II''  ill'  Ml  Iffi'lilv  «ii'il' liifu'  !i  lil'lf  r'ff ''•  liffi^'fi', 
I'lidi  111  lite  |ifiilv  Wfi-J  i"i'iii  rii'iitfil'fl  ;  fifid  fi  ill' 7  liM'l 
<j|ill  (liii'i»  H|i'iii'  li'tc  t"\  III'  y  wf  I'ifl'l'  d  wi'li  J;»''»l»''? 
fKiii'4  fiiid  IIm'  (f'of  ftl  llii'  hnijinu/i',  find  I'-'l  'iff,  'Vhf'ft 
Inn  inii  lli»>  dfiniri'ifiK-!  Ii!ifilf-j  'd  lli''  rivf,  lli'  /  pi-  'd 
lliiMiiidi  iIm>  wiiif'l^  iiji'iii  ill"  'i[i"fi  |if!iifi'>,  find  iiiir  if'd  fi 
colli  '11  dii'(ll\    i'!i   I,  |iil'il'  »l   liy   l|i<>   |)f!i'fi"d   f  f  !i[(|:i'r. 


•n 


ii'if'^  hill"  ftl    •  li'  ll'f    Im  ii'fiWJi  y^  I'lr    y,     i^Jiid    If 


"  fUid     \i>i     nniiiMi   lull:     will     lifiv     I'l     fiin/li    if     [ir;»iri<'- 
JM^Iiiiiii.      \N'i   11    lifiv '     nil   lini'     f'li    I'lfififi',    F   f.nlk'rlnf*' 


il      u «»     lliiiiK     III 


Mil  tiiiiil. 


Til 


;«'''|i    rili'ji'l     »d      tli'fri     ^'i-ulii  fuinf 


if'ii, 


HiMlffli  llif  climiii'i  nif'ld  fli'-y  iif/"'I  th''  af'^.nf 
lillln  lull  'i'-^  nVf'l  I'  I  III''  |i!i  fill'-:,  wfi'f''  h'ch  t,f 
ImiHiiImc-)  uii'I  liii'ip:  ,i"  wild  li'if''-^  ' '.filinii''!  f'»  f' '  d 
roMilf'4<|y  im  (lif'V  |i(h;'''I  ;  i'ltv  lli'ir  in- liii' f  t'.l'l  ffi'rn 
lliHl  llii'V  wcif  Hi  liiiil  linif  iti  no  'l)iri(/"r  i'i'>r(\  ih';  fnc- 
inii'4  <d'  ill'  ir  iii'i"'. 

Al  Iriijdli,  men  (iii'I  li'ii-''-;  i\i\</iff<\  \  Mr-'.  Av)n'!filfl 
roiili!  IM»  luniri'i-  linj'l  li'f  lici'll'',  Mri'l  \\icy  linlf''d  nri'l^-r 
llii>  nliiidi'  <t\  II  widc-K[)if  ;idinjr  l»'''''di,  :iri'l  pi'-k'-f irif(  th** 
hiU'K*"^,  1,'iy  il'twn  on  iIk"  (iiif  jin'j  ^jfpf  \,r'tiftUT\'\]y  foi 
HHiie    lioiiiM.      'riii'ii,  U4    lli';y  ?il';    lh';ir   \/rfr>Uffi->t  of  dr» 


I  Ai 


/rx 


a.'p , 


■'U; 


[■■'t' 


m 


m 


k 


n 


■  4> 


I 


I'M 


^i| 


411 


TIIK    IJKAU-IIUN'IKUS 


meat,  they  looked  before  tliein  to  con(em])liite  thfl 
region  they  must  pass.  Already,  the  grass  was  shorter 
the  vegetation  looked  less  verdant,  and  the  trees  were 
rare.  Worse  than  all,  no  game  was  to  be  seen ;  their 
store  of  dry  meat  was  not  only  small,  but  decaying ; 
and  they  had  no  longer  the  resource  of  fish.  A  muddy 
pool  of  water,  though  it  satisfied  the  horses,  was  very 
repugnant  to  the  thirsty  travellers,  and  they  began  to 
fear  that  they  might  not  readily  meet  with  a  clearer 
stream.  This  was  depressing  ;  and  old  Jacob,  chuck- 
ling at  their  nicety,  said,  — 

"  Ye'll  have  to  get  used  to  hunger  and  thirst,  I 
guess  ;  many's  the  time  I've  fasted  well  on  to  a  week, 
and  here  I  be,  yet,  God  be  praised.  There's  yerbs, 
sartainly,  as  puts  oflT  hunger,  and  there's  small  game, 
birds  and  prairie  dogs;  but  ye're  an  awful  lot  of 
mouths,  and  it  would  use  a  heaj)  of  lives  of  them 
unsatisfying  things  to  fill  ye  all.  One  buffler  ye  see's 
only  one  life,  and  that  would  go  a  groat  way ;  and 
that's  what  God  means  for  us  when  he  sends  bulBers 
in  tens  of  thousands ;  plenty  for  all,  Injuns  and  whites, 
as  comes  on  prairie." 

"Jacob  is  right,"  said  Mr.  Rodney.  "Harold,  I 
pray  you  to  look  for  elks  or  buffaloes  rather  than  shoo> 
the  flocks  of  birds  which  must  be  necessary  to  satisfy 
the  appetite  of  such  a  number.  Don't  you  think,  m^ 
little  Ellen,  it  is  a  cruelty  to  kill  so  many  birds  ?  " 

"  Yes,  I  do,  Mr.  Rodney,"  answered  she  ;  "  and 
though  dear  mamma  does  not  like  buffalo-meat,  Pat 
and  I  will  try  to  find  eggs  for  her.  Y  j  know  eggs  are 
not  living  things,  though  they  might  be.  Then  Hahnee 
and  I  know  some  roots  that  are  very  good  to  eat.  But 
what  will  become  of  us  if  we  can  find  no  water?     We 


h^  ^i 


V 


OF    THE    UOCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


415 


must  turn  loose  the  poor  horses,  to  find  it  for  tliomselves, 
or  they  will  perish." 

"  We'll  not  part  with  'em,  yet,  anyways,"  said  Jacob. 
*'  We'd  be  in  an  everlasting  fix,  hereaway  on  the  barest 
ground  of  th'  prairie,  if  so  as  we're  letting  them  go  their 
own  gait.  Nay,  nay  ;  they'll  have  to  bide  what  we  bide 
for  a  bit,  honey.  So  you,  and  your  fust-rate  Injuo 
woman,  had  bettiir  be  seein'  after  yer  diggins." 


..<> 


no 


TltK    HKAK-III'NTI  Ud 


ciT  A  r n:  n  x  \  x  \m 


A  Supply  •>(  tloots.  -  Tlio  Sdnwbcnv  U.nik.  —  T\w  I'cpr  nt  ttil 
Pool  -  r«(»'»  h«Moio  I  igl\(.  rii(>  l{('(iir\i  of  tho  HnHiilo  lliiiiton). 
—  A  Ph*  k  ot"  riui'voK.  — .lolin's  i^iioi!iiiiioii(<  I'li^lii.  —  Tin.'  Mscmim 
o("  (ho  rumrt. 


'fl 


TnK,  ulnids  wcvo  nol  vcl  \vl\ollv  l»Mi-r<Mi.  lli()iio;Ii  ilu» 
nrlomi'^ia  bushes,  tlio  lokctis  (it'tlie  »lrv  uildcnn'ss,  \V(MT 
mIivjuIv  s\'aft(M"(Hl  about  on  samlv  spots,  wIkm'o  the  low 
liillooks.  that  linartKnl  iho  burrows  ol'  tho  ciirioiis  littlo 
prairio  do^s  U(M(>  raisiMl.  Then*  numbers  of  tbo 
jshrewd.  sobMuu-lookiuir  btlU^  animals  sat  sia/.iujr  at   the. 


sfrauirors.  wiuiv  their  eoustant  e(>mpanu)us  aud   nuuates 


the   I 


mrroNvinir  o\v 


Is.  sat    near  them  :  but    no  sooner  tbtl 


tlie  h\-\(l»M*  take  lh<>  ah\rm  than  he  uttered  the  sharp  velp 
whioli  has  i^ivtMi  the  uudes(M'v<Ml  nam(>  of  iIolt  to  lliese 
deheate  httlo  ereatures.  and  all  in  a  moment  vanislied 
into  the  burrows. 

No  evil  intentions  W(>re  onttM'tained  ajiainst  tlu? 
prairio  doirs,  however,  and  Ilahm-e  and  KUen  iia>in<j; 
coUeoted  an  .abundant  supply  o\'  wild  onions  aud  th(i 
Psorolia    e^ciih'uta,  or    swet>t    potato,  they   walked    on 


till    thev  met    with    a 


poo 


I  of  eh^ar    water,   and    tluMi 


rested  to  cook  tlie  iireatest  part  of  the  sickening  dried 
meat  remainiuii.  with  the  roots,  and  this  stew  tbrnu'd 
the  most  palutable  meat  they  liad  eaten  for  some  days. 
liKMi.  while  the  wearv  were  restiuix  under  a  tall  arte- 


miMA   on 


di,   Pat  and  Ellen  rambled  olV,    and  returned 


nr   rm:   um  kv   mhiintainh. 


41 


wjfli  llirir   IimIs  lilled  willi  liirj^c  jlrllrioiig  ii|i«'  strawhor- 
v'w^  \   inviliiif^  rvnylnMly  (o  (idldW  tlirin  mimI   «')it    stniw 


MMIICS. 


i: 


vciv 


ln»(ly 


iH   lin|i|»y    l(»  |iirk    '^IiuwIkti  i«'H 


tin<l    lO   flM-^rrl     Illltl^Ct,   Mini     lllirst,   Mt|)|     llClil,   Mild     to     tMlk 

liopcldlly  of  iIm'  lulmr,  llioiitrli  llicy  wrrc  sorrirwIiMt 
ilisM|)|)ninl«Ml  iIimI  .ImcoI),  so  rxprricncfd  on  tli«;  praiticH, 
sIhhiM  not  have  led  llirrn  over  wcll-WMlfrcd  plains. 

"  \V<dl,  lluMi,"  said  iIk'  old  flapper,  "  it  was  tlirHO 
Iiijims  as  ditnv  iih  oil'  llio  tiMck.  I  {tih-s^  it  wouldn't 
pay  to  k«'c|>  on  li^lit  aloip  'cm.  You'll  hide  patient  a 
bit,  and  tilings  will  drop  cIcmi'.  'riiriri  tlicrf;  fixirm  i.i 
nrxl  (o  WMirr  lor  (IlirislenR  ;  and  fliem  horses  will  kei'tp 
on  llieir  hi;j;s  anollier  day  I  ealkcrlate." 

Hut  it  was  two  dayH,  two  l<»nf(,  hot,  tedioiiH  flays, 
(lays  of  siitjerin^  IVotn  Imn^cr  and  thirst,  from  fafii^ufj 
and  anxiety,  helori!  ihn  travellers  saw  the  gretsn  worjded 
sides*  of  a  Inilfc  or  inoiated  mountain,  toward.s  which 
they  tnrneil  the  taint  and  weary  hor>(\s,  whi(;h  already 
soenicd  to  scent  the  d('sir(5(|  rcf'nishrrient,  for  they  rallie«l, 
and  started  oiV  bri.^kly,  to  tjic  baH<!  of  the  mountain,  on 
the.  (\'ist  sid('  of  which  was  a  chatuud  of  pure  wafer, 
bubblin^jj  from  the  lieightH,  towards  which  men  and 
liorses  eagci'ly  rushed, 

Rcfreslicd  with  tli(!  delicious  <lraug}jt,  the  nu",n 
hobbled  the  horses,  though  jjrritty  well  convinced  that 
they  would  not  stray  from  the  desirable  stream  ;  and 
then  sought  the  shelter  of  the  wood,  to  avoid  the  noon- 
day sun,  and  after  a  short  sleep,  to  search  for  the 
BupplicH  necessary  to  support  so  large  a  party.  Low 
bushes  of  delicious  currants  and  raspberries  were  abun- 
dant at  the  foot  of  the  mountain,  and  higher  up,  the 
notes  of  the  pigeon  and  j)arrot  were  heard,  while  the 
coveys  of  young  pniirie  birds  ipse  whirring  from  tha 


til 


:r. 


:';( 


I  '  1 


418 


TIIK    BKAR-IIUNTKIIS 


plains  on  all  sides.  Jacob  shook  his  head  at  these 
prospects. 

"  liabby  meat,"  muttered  he.  "  Able  men  would 
make  a  j)oor  feed  on  such  like." 

"  Will  I  be  thryin'  my  fishing-rod  ?  "  asked  Mike. 

"  Ay,  ay,  fish  it  is,  lad,"  said  Dick.  "  And  it's  like 
we'se  all  have  to  lend  a  hand.  What  does  yer  honner 
say  to  a  trip  out  north?  It  houlds  fresh  thereaway,  like 
as  though  we  might  fall  in  with  prizes." 

Hahnee  softly  touched  the  arm  of  Dick,  and  led  him 
to  a  spot  by  the  side  of  the  rivulet,  where  the  distinct 
trace  of  small  cloven  feet  might  be  seen. 

"  She's  a  sharp  un,  she  is,"  said  Dick,  regarding  Ilah- 
nee  with  Admiration.  "  It's  few  women-folk  as  would 
have  notished  this.  What  sort  of  craft  has  touched 
here,  think  ye,  Jacob  ?  " 

"  Small  deer,"  answered  the  trapper,  poring  over  the 
tr'^'';  "but  a  few  will  come  in  handy,  I  guess.  They'll 
be  watering  nigh-hand  nightfall,  and  ye'll  have  to  lie  in 
cover;  they're  shy  beasts,  and  fluttering  a  feather  will 
set  'em  off.  Here,  let  Arncliffe  and  me  mind  this  job ; 
we'll  watch  'em,  and  you  stout  uns  be  off  after  buffler 
meat;  there's  work  for  all,  I  calkerlate.  There's  Pat 
and  Miss  can  gether  berry  tixins ;  and  Hahnee,  woman, 
look  about  thee ;  there'll  be  yerbs,  or  some  feed,  here- 
aways." 

This  division  of  labor  promised  to  produce  some  re- 
lief, for  all,  mox'e  or  less,  were  enfeebled  by  fasting, 
Mrs.  Avondale  and  Dennis  being  the  greatest  sufferers ; 
hut  the  abundant  supply  of  food  around  them  allayed  in 
some  measuri3  the  sensation  of  hunger.  Then  Jacob  or- 
dered every  one  to  retire  behind  a  spur  of  the  moun- 
tain, that  the  approach  to  the  river  might  be  left  still 


OF    Tin:    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


41ft 


and  undisturbed,  lie  and  Ariiditte  lying  ooncetilrd  Ix^hind 
the  low  bushes.  They  reinamed  a  considerable  time 
watching;  at  length  the  rustling  of  branches  announced 
the  approach  of"  some  animals,  and  a  herd  of  graceful 
deer  bounded,  one  after  another,  from  the  wood,  and 
plunging  into  the  stream,  laved  their  hot  sides,  with  the 
semblance  of  perfect  enjoyment. 

"  What  a  shame  to  disturb  ihem,"  whispered  Pollen 
to  Pat  as  they  peeped  through  the  tiees  li'om  a  little 
opening  in  the  wood,  where  the  two  children,  armed 
with  long  knives,  were  digging  potatoes,  as  Pat  delighted 
to  name  the  sweet  bulbs  Ilahnee  had  taught  them  to 
lind. 

But  Arncliffe  and  Jacob  were  not  deterred  by  any 
feeling  of  humanity ;  they  fired  two  rounds  among  the 
herd,  and  two  were  left  floating  on  the  stream,  dead,  or 
mortally  wounded ;  and  though  the  rest  fled  to  the 
woods,  one  was,  they  saw,  desperately  wounded  in  the 
neck.  This  frantic  creature  came  suddenly  on  the  chil- 
dren, and  in  its  agony  ran  against,  and  overthrew  Ellen, 
and  then  began  to  attack  her  with  its  antlers.  Pat  tit- 
tered a  loud  cry,  and  with  great  intre[)idity  rushed  on 
the  deer,  and  stabbed  it  in  the  shoulder  with  his  knife. 
Leaving  Pollen,  it  turned  on  the  new  assailant,  and 
stooped  to  butt  him  ;  but  the  motion  caused  the  blood  to 
pour  in  torrents  from  the  well-directed  wound,  and  be- 
fore it  could  strike,  it  tottered  and  fell.  With  a  shout 
of  triumph,  Pat  leaped  upon  the  body  of  his  victim,  cry- 
ing out, — 

"  Wasn't  I  the  boy  as  kilt  the  baste  entirely  ?  Sure, 
isn't  he  a  raal  big  un,  Ellen,  astore  ?  " 

But  Ellen  ''  astore  "  was  in  no  condition  to  rejoice 
in  his  \  ictory  ;  bruised,  and  bleeding  from  a  gash  in  h*jf 


■■  I 


■i  ^:  1\. 


It ' 
I, 


t  ;s 


!^l  l! 


i  ilii 


li  ;!? 


420 


THK    HKAH-miNTKKrt 


I         ! 


'.    f 


arm  wliich  she  had  riiised  to  pj-olect  licr  face,  si  e  laf 
incapable  of  moving ;  and  when  Pat  began  to  weep 
over  her,  she  also  burst  into  tears,  and  said,  **  I*at,  am  i 
killed?" 

"  Niver  i  bit  of  killin'  it  is,  then,  Ellen,  astore,"  said 
he,  "  barriii*  it's  the  baste  itself,  bad  liu-k  to  it,  will  be 
kilt,  and  not  you  at  all.  Will  ye  be  lettin'  mo  carry  ye 
down  to  aunt,  to  docther  yer  arrum  ?  and  thin,  sure, 
ye'll  be  atin'  a  bit  of  its  flesh,  out  of  spite,  tnusha ! " 

Ellen  smiled,  and  sobbed,  and  looked  with  wonder 
at  the  proof  of  Pat's  prowess;  and  when  he  had  bound 
her  handkerchief  round  the  lacerated  arm,  and  she  tried 
to  stand  and  to  walk,  she  found  that  she  was  not  really 
killed,  and  could  even  laugh  at  the  sight  of  her  tattered 
frock  of  dressed  deer-skin,  which  had  fortunately  pro-r 
tected  her  from  niore  dangerous  wounds. 

"  You  must  go  first,  Pat,"  said  she,  ^'  and  toll  mamma 
all  the  story,  or  she  will  be  alarmed  when  she  sees  her 
little  White  Dove  bleeding  and  ill.  I  must  sit  down 
here  and  wait  a  little  longer.  I  think  no  more  wild 
deer  will  come." 

In  the  mean  time  Arncliffe  and  Jacob,  with  the  assist? 
ance  of  Scruton  and  Mr.  Rodney,  had  drawn  from  the 
water  the  two  slain  deer,  and  were  assisting  John  to  cut 
them  up  when  Pat  appeared,  to  report,  with  great  pride 
that  he  had  killed  that  same  buck  that  had  torn  Miss 
Ellen's  frock,  —  a  mysterious  allusion  that  was  not  un- 
derstood till  the  pale  and  tremblfng  girl  was  brought 
from  the  wood,  to  be  attended,  and  nursed,  and  soothed 
by  her  mother  and  the  kind  women  ;  and  from  that  time 
Pat  was  elevated  to  the  rank  of  a  hero,  and  allowed  to 
perpetrate  mischief  with  impunity. 

It  was  hue ;  the  tires  had  been  made,  and  venison- 


OF     rilK    ROCKY    MOINTAINS. 


421 


steaks  and  fish  from  tlie  rivor  wore  broiliii;*  tciriptingly, 
when  Harold  and  Dick  appeared,  slowly  and  wearily 
drawing  alVcr  them  tlie  i>kin  of  a  large  huffalo-eow,  in 
wliieli  were  enelosecl  the  choicest  parts  of  the  fie.>h  — 
the  hump,  the  tongue,  and  tlie  delicate  ribs,  a  profusior. 
which  inspired  the  hungry  \^ith  gladness.  The  tired 
hunters  themselves  were  glad  to  see  that  they  should 
not  have  to  wait  till  their  spoil  was  eookc^d,  for  they  had 
at  once  placed  before  them  slices  of  the  <lelicious  wiiite 
fish  of  the  river,  followed  by  venison  steaks,  and  j)ota- 
toes  —  so  called  —  roasted  in  the  embers;  and  all  de- 
clared that  it  was  the  most  agreeable  ban<iuct  they  had 
ever  enjoyed. 

"Would  ye  be  lookin'  at  my  baste,  yer  honner?" 
said  Pat.  "  Sure,  won't  ye  be  lettin'  me  hunt  along 
with  you  now  ?  an'  won't  I  be  stickin'  my  knife  in  the 
bastes  ?  Worra!  yer  honner,  wasn't  Miss  Pollen  screech- 
ing, and  me  mad  entirely  myself?  and  didn't  I  kill  hira 
clane  dead  ?  and  wasn't  it  the  best  of  mates,  and  me 
wantin'  to  have  a  jacket  made  of  his  skin,  plase  yer 
honners  ?  " 

♦*  You  deserve  to  have  it,  my  boy,"  said  Harold  ;  "  and 
as  soon  as  it  is  prepared,  I  think  you  ought  to  have  the 
jacket,  and  wear  it  as  a  trophy.  You  have  fleshed  your 
maiden  knife  to  some  purpose." 

No  attempt  to  clean  the  skirs  was  made  this  night, 
for  all  were  fatigued  and  drowsy  with  their  unusual 
feasting,  so  that  in  an  hour  there  was  not  an  eye  un- 
closed in  the  encampment.  But  some  time  after  mid- 
night a  shrill  scream  from  I'at  awoke  the  rest,  and  by 
the  light  of  the  moon  they  saw  the  bov  dancing  about 
wildly,  waving  a  long  stick. 

^'Mr.  Crofton,"  '  j  cried,  "they're  atin'iny  jacket,  the 

36 


1     ^ ,  w 


lifi 


-"    it 

ma 


i»,-'i 


4?: 


lip 

III 


422 


TIIK    HK/VU-HUNTKRS 


cmtui's!  Suro,  thin,  will  yo  be  sliootiii'  tlie  bastes,  Mr 
Kodiioy,  yor  lioiiiuu'?  Wluit  for  will  ye  bo  slaping,  and 
we'll  all  1)0  atin  up  intircly?" 

In  truth,  the  sfardrd  men  did  fctd  ralher  appalled 
when  thoy  saw  a  pack  of  wolves  close;  to  them,  snarlin;* 
at  each  other,  and  dra;if^in^  about  the  precious  nmat 
which  had  cost  ho  mu(;h  labor  to  procure.  In  a  niouient 
all  were  alert;  shots,  knives,  and  loud  cries  soon  dis- 
persed the  cowardly  nocturnal  depredators;  but  alas! 
the  bufl'alo-skin  and  meat  had  entirely  disappeared,  and 
one  of  the  deer  was  so  torn  and  mauled  as  to  be  uneat- 
able and  wholly  useless.  Pat's  spoil,  however,  which 
was  suspended  on  a  tree,  had  eseapc'd  outrage,  and  he 
rejoiced  at  the  idea  that  his  prospective  jacket  was  still 
safe. 

"  I  feel  disgraced,  Mr.  Crofton,"  said  Scruton,  "  that 
I  should  have  neglected  to  arrange  a  watch,  or  rather, 
as  I  liad  not  any  extra  labor  during  the  day,  that  I 
didn't  keep  watch  myself.  No  wonder  those  piratical 
beasts  came  down  on  us  ;  and  but  for  the  boy,  whose 
smartness  is  commendable,  and  whom,  if  ever  I  possess 
a  ship,  I  should  not  object  to  rate  on  my  books  —  but 
for  him  we  might  not  only  have  lost  all  our  provisions, 
but,  if  the  ravenous  beasts  had  .ot  been  satisfied, 
they  would  probably  have  finished  with  some  of  our 
own  flesh." 

"  Or,  at  any  rate,  with  the  flesh  of  our  horses,  which 
would  have  been  a  great  vexation,"  said  Harold ;  "  so 
that,  on  the  whole,  we  have  much  to  be  thankful  for.  I 
was  always  much  charmed  with  the  pretty  story  in 
Evenings  at  Home '  called,  '  How  to  make  the  best  of 
it ;  *  and  now,  like  Robinet,  we  must  make  the  best  of 
It,  and  a^  long  as  we  have  venison,  and  can  keep  on 


,'hich 

"so 

r.    I 


on 


OK    Tin:    UOCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


423 


tills  bhssod  sfrfain,  wo  slmll  not  do  amiss.  1  siippase, 
Captain  Scniton,  we  may  now  take  anotlu'i*  nap?" 

"I  shall  watch,  Mr.  Crof'ton,"  answiircd  Scrnton, 
"and  1  think  Mr.  KiMlncy  oainiot  ohject  to  be  my  com- 
panion." 

Mr.  Rodney  aj^recd  that  he  onght  to  share  the  duty; 
and  tor  the  remainder  of  the  ni«;ht  they  watehed,  with- 
ont  any  distnrbance,  except  the  howlin^^  of  the  wolves, 
fighting  over  their  booty,  with  tin;  usual  dissension  of 
freebooters. 

As  the  travellers  still  had  abundance  of  food,  they 
breakfasted  sumptuously,  and  then  set  out  along  the  edge 
of  the  rivnl(!t,  over  plains  still  scantily  covered  with 
grass,  dreading  continually  that  they  should  see  the 
trickling  stream  whol'v  absorbed  by  the  sandy  soil, 
which,  except  the  short  grass,  produced  nothing  but 
bushes  of  cactus,  now  covered  with  glorious  blossoms, 
that  cheen^d  even  that  scorched  and  barren  wilderness. 

For  two  days  they  fed  abundantly  on  venison  and 
the  fish  from  the  running  stream,  the  old  people  digging 
up  the  psoralia,  which  they  named  potato,  and  preferred 
to  the  constant  meat  diet.  But  after  that  time,  the  heat 
of  the  weather  tainted  the  meat,  till  it  was  almost  un- 
eatable, the  stream  had  vanished  in  the  sand,  and  they 
had  to  regret  the  fresh  fish  that  afforded  such  a  pleasant 
variety  of  food.  As  they  arrived  at  each  new  butte, 
their  first  care  was  to  search  for  a  water-sup[)ly,  but 
they  long  sought  in  vain.  At  length  they  heard  gladly 
the  dropping  of  water;  near  a  high  mound  they  found 
A  slender  current  trickling  over  a  jutting  crag,  and  fall- 
ing into  a  pool  on  the  plain.  From  this  pool  they  first 
filled  all  their  buckets,  and  then  the  horses  speedily 
emptiei  it.     Unable  any  longer  to  endure  the  corrupt 


Mr 


'hf 

P^ 

,1    • 

«.    i 

'     MM 

■■  U 

'  m 

Ei" 


•1    !t;... ..., 


52).  Be, 


=  jiil, 


JHji 

-Pi 

'W 

i 


I'm 


■  i 


J*'  ■ ; 


iif 


ff\- 


424 


THE    BEAR-HUNTKRS 


ilpdh  of  the  deer,  they  were  compelled  to  be  satisfied 
with  roasted  roots ;  and  lay  down  to  sleep  beneath  the 
bushes.  But  the  hideous  cries  of  the  night  prowlers 
continually  disturbed  them,  and  twice  the  watch  drove 
away  thi  wolves  that  had  been  attracted  by  the  smell 
of  the  tainted  venison,  or  by  the  horses.  Towards 
morning,  Jacob  said  to  John,  his  companion  in  the 
watcli,  — 

"  1  guess  thar's  Injun  or  painter  on  our  trail;  hear 
ye,  man,  d'ye  catch  that  rustling?  Keep  yer  rifle  ready, 
and  yer  eye  yonder  away." 

This  excellent  advice  John  followed  so  far  as  to  keep 
hi^>  eye  fixed  in  terror  on  the  bushes  pointed  out  by  his 
ccmpanion  ;  but  whe?i  a  glittering  pair  of  eyes  shone 
through  the  gray  leaves,  and  a  sudden  bound  brought 
an  enormous  unknown  animal  upon  the  back  of  one  of 
the  horses,  he  flung  down  his  rifle,  and  rushed  into  tlie 
midst  of  tne  sleepers  with  a  dismal  cry. 

'*  Cowardly  sneak  !  "  cried  Jacob,  as  he  iired  his  ov  n 
gun.  But  though,  from  the  sharp  growl  of  the  animal, 
he  judged  that  lie  had  wounded  it,  it  proceeded  to  fling 
the  horse  over  it(i  back  and  flee  into  the  thicket,  the 
second  shot  of  Jacob  being  wholly  unsuccessful. 

"It's  not  like  me  to  miss  a  painter !"  exclaimed  the 
trapper  wrathfully.  "  I  guess  it  war  that  cowardly  coon 
as  set  up  my  dander  with  his  healing  out  like  that,  and 
it's  a  marcy  for  him  that  I  didn't  give  him  the  ball  his- 
self.  Now,  ye  see,  the  critter's  gone  with  the  best  horse  : 
they're  cunnin'  coons,  they  painters,  —  they  allays  pick 
out  j icy  meat." 

In  this  case,  however,  none  of  the  horses  could  be 
said  to  be  in  "juicy"  condition;  labor  and  famine,  and, 
tbove  all,  the  scarcity  of  water  had  enfeebletJ  and  emu' 


^  -. 


OF    THE    UOCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


420 


citited  them ;  and  as  they  should  have  still  two  horses 
left  for  the  baggage,  they  did  not  mourn  deeply  over  thfl 
panther's  victim.  But  John  was  soundly  r'ted  for  his 
cowardice,  and  re[>laced  by  a  more  efficient  'jntinel,  till 
moi'ning  relieved  tiiem  from  the  dread  of  wild  beasts, 
and  they  ventured  to  search  the  wood  for  game,  in  de- 
fiance of  the  puma,  which  Jacob  named  the  painter. 

"  Sure  wont  I  be  saking  out.  a  stag  for  your  honnera 
to  shoot,"  said  Pat,  "and  me  carryin'  my  long  knife 
again,  as  Will  gave  me.  Isn't  it  a  first-rate  nunter  I'll 
be  showin'  myself  altogether." 


M* 


iMlili 


liU 


1-1:   •?) 


;:** 


'S' 


il 


42« 


THE    BEAR-HUNTERS 


CHAPTER    XXXVIT. 

The  Bee-hunl.  —  Starting  new  Game.  —  Robbed  ov'  tbe  Prize.  —  Th« 
salt  Lake—  The  wild  Rice.  —  Making  Bread.  —  Tlie  River  and 
its  Inhabitants.  —  The  unlucky  Horse. 

The  party  spread  through  the  woods,  fearing  no 
danger  in  the  daylight ;  strawberries  and  raspberries 
were  ph  ntiful,  the  wood-pigeon  cooed,  the  squirrel 
chirped,  and  the  bee  hummed  amidst  the  blossoms  of 
cactus,  while  the  musical  trickling  of  the  water  harmo- 
nized pleasantly  with  the  summer  sounds  even  in  that 
barren  region.  But  the  larger  animals  were  snug  in 
their  lairs,  or  were  roaming  on  the  plains  ;  none  were 
to  be  found.  Reluctantly  the  sportsmen  were  nerving 
themselves  to  the  necessity  of  shooting  the  gentle 
pigeons,  when  Pat,  in  great  excitement,  came  running 
up  to  Mr.  Rodney  and  Harold,  crying  out  incohe- 
rently, — 

"  Wasi.  t   I    seein'    them    all   fly   into ?      Sure 

didn't  I  watch  them,  and  niver  mindin'  av  they'd  be 
stingin'  bees  at  all,  seein'  it's  them  same  that  makes  the 
honey,  the  craturs  !  and  lavin'  my  cap  unther  the  throe 
to  be  knovs'in'  it  agin.  Wouldn't  yer  honners  be  wantin' 
an  axe  to  cut  it  down  altogether  ?  " 

From  Pat's  report,  though  it  was  far  from  lucid, 
Rodney  judged  that  he  had  traced  the  b^es  to  their 
aoney  store ;  an  agreeable  prospect,  for  though  honey 
alone  was  not   satisfactory   food   for   starving   men,  'A 


OF    THK    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


427 


would  be  an  addition  to  the  roots  on  which  they  were 
now  siibi-isting.  Therefore  Dick  was  summoned  to 
bring*  his  axe ;  and  they  followed  Pat  nearly  to  the 
summit  of  the  mount,  where,  on  a  jutting  rock,  some 
ages  before,  a  large  spreading  beach  had  flourished. 
Time  had  hollowed  the  trunk,  and  withered  the  lower 
boughs  though  the  upper  part  was  still  verdant  and 
closely  leafed.  As  they  drew  near  they  saw  swarms  of 
bees  aj)parently  driven  from  their  cells. 

"  You  little  vagabond,"  said  Dick,  "  I'll  be  bound 
ye'll  have  been  poking  'em  with  a  stick,  and  have  set  'em 
all  astir.  Now,  we'se  have  a  reet-down  feight  with 
*em  about  their  bit  honey." 

"  It  is  but  natural  and  fair,  Dick,"  said  IMr.  Rodney, 
"  that  the  bees  should  defend  iheir  own,  like  loyal 
volunteers  ;  and  I  am  astonished  that  they  did  not  sting 
the  boy  when  he  meddled  with  them." 

"  Sure,  niver  a  stick  at  all  was  I  carryin',  yer  honner," 
said  Pat,  "  barrin'  my  long  knife  ;  and  me  niver  thrub- 
blin'  'em  at  all,  but  just  lookin'  on.  Would  it  be  the 
craturs  were  seein'  us  comin'  to  thave  their  honey  ?  " 

"Anyhow,  we'se  have  to  try  and  board  'em,"  said 
Dick;  "it's  hardly  like  we'se  turn  our  backs  and  run 
from  a  lot  of  honey-bees.  Tie  a  rag  ower  thy  face, 
John,  man,  and  take  up  thy  axe,  and  let's  fall  on." 

"  The}-  'teng  b?idly,  Dick,"  answered  John  faintly ; 
"  Pse  noways  fond  o'  t'  job." 

"  Get  thee  dr  »vn  among  t*  women  folks,"  said  Dick 
with  contempt,  "  and  take  a  needle  in  thy  hand  ;  it's 
all  thou's  good  to,  thou  Molly  !  " 

"  -Nay,  nay,  Dick,"  replied  the  mortified  man  ;  "  thv.», 
knows  I'se  not  feared  on  a  wild  colt,  and  can  breuh  him 
bravely  ;  but  there's  no  'biding  t'  ways  of  them  'teng 


■'  t:  .1 

^  III 


:i^i 


a  ii 


J— :-^-- 


*■  li 


J  iii 


"i^ij 


\4>.\ 


W 


il    <     i 


428 


THE  bkau-iilm'i:ks 


ing  fleas.  But  come  on,  I'se  thy  man  ;  and  Mary,  lass, 
blind  me,  honey  ;  I'd  not  like  my  een  piked  out." 

Peggy  and  Mary  tied  muslin  liandkerchiefs  over  the 
faces  of  the  two  men,  and  enveloped  their  hands  in 
deer-skins,  to  the  perfect  satisfaction  of  John,  and  the 
annoyance  of  Dick,  who  complained  that  he  never 
could  work  mufHed.  Then  they  ventured  into  the 
midst  of  the  swarming  insects,  which  continued  to  buzz 
angrily  round  the  tree  in  unaccountable  confusion. 

After  two  or  three  strokes  of  the  axe,  a  loud  rustling 
was  heard  in  the  upper  branches  of  the  tree,  then  a 
deep  growl,  and  finally,  the  grinning  face  of  a  black  bear 
appeared  protruding  from  the  foliage. 

"  Halloo  ! "  cried  Dick,  "  he's  getten  start  on  us  ;  an 
ugly  dog.  We'se  need  guns  sooner  nor  axes.  I  say, 
captain,  a  pirate  in  sight.  Will  your  honners  just  give 
him  a  broadside,  for  bear's  meat  is  better  nor  honey  any 
day?" 

"  And  plaze,  Mr.  Crofton,"  said  Pat,  "  be  in  a  hurry, 
seein'  the  baste  will  maybe  be  atin'  all  our  illigant 
honey." 

Many  shots  were  sent  into  Bruin  before  he  yielded 
to  fall  from  his  post;  and  then,  having  safely  finished 
him,  not,  however,  without  some  sharp  slings  from  the 
distracted  bees,  the  workmen  proceeded  to  cut  down 
the  old  tree,  and,  opening  the  trunk,  found  an  amazing 
quantity  of  fine  honeycomb,  arranged  with  the  marvel- 
lous art  which  the  extraordinary  insects  display  in  their 
beautiful  works. 

"  What  a  pity  it  is  to  destroy  their  town  ! "  said  Ellen. 
•*  Could  we  not  have  taken  a  little  honey,  and  left  their 
lodges  habitable?" 

"As  good  you  had  it  as  them  ugly  bars,  honey/'  said 


■''i 


t:' 


OP    THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


429 


Dick,  *  if  it  be  worth  carrying  off;  but  it';-    poor  meat 
for  hunghery  men." 

However,  the  bear  was  left  untOKched,  till  tlie  whole 
party,  with  buckets,  baskets,  wooden  cups,  twisted 
ieiives,  or  any  vessel  they  could  contrive,  bore  off  a 
large  supply  of  honeycomb  to  the  encampment,  to  be 
packed  up  as  well  as  their  means  allowed.  Then  they 
returned  to  cut  up  and  bring  away  the  bear;  but  before 
they  reached  the  spot,  they  heard  a  tremendous  roaring 
and  howling,  and  approaching  at  a  safe  distance,  tiiey 
were  mortified  to  see  two  larjje  nnmas  ti^^htin";  lor  the 
possession  of  their  valuable  game.  Mike,  perched  on  a 
tree,  overlooked  the  field  of  battle,  and  reported  that  a 
pHck  of  wolves  were  lurking  in  an  opening  at  a  short 
distance,  only  deterred  from  ap{)ix)ach  by  the  presence 
of  the  more  powerful  animals,  and  rea  ly  to  pounce  on 
the  fragments  when  their  superiors  were  glutted. 

*'  IJring  up  the  rifles  again,"  said  Harold  to  John  ; 
"  we  must  have  a  shot  at  these  ferocious  robber;^" 

'*  1  say  no,  Harold,"  observed  Mr.  Rodney ;  "  pumas 
and  wolves  are  dangerous  opponents,  and  we  should 
certainly  lose  more  than  we  could  gain  by  the  conflict ; 
lor  the  bear,  torn  by  these  animals,  can  no  longer  be  fit 
food  for  us.  Let  us  discreetly  retreat,  and  move  im- 
mediately from  this  wood,  which  seems  to  be  the  general 
rendezvous  of  all  the  four-footed  animals  of  the  region 
round  about." 

Captain  Scruton  approved  of  the  suggestion ;  and, 
with  many  bitter  invectives  against  the  meddling  pumas, 
the  men  returned  to  the  canip,  dejected  and  crestfallen, 
to  make  an  indifferent  breakfast  on  roots,  fruit,  and 
honey. 

"  Now,  we'd  better  be  startin*,"  said  Jacob  ;  "and  6e€ 


\ 


'I  'II 


'ii; 


m 

,'r,J 

il 

' 

fi'( 

Mi. 

'^l' 

hi 

Ky  •■ 

H  $ 


4^0 


THK    BKAK-IIUNTEHn 


tliutyr  all  kocp  a  sharp  look-out  for  <»  trail,  as  wr  oii^  . 
to  striko  sonicwlitM'O  hon'aways.  Miiul  it's  not  salV,  for 
them  stioakin;::  nMl-skins  is  allays  lian;:iii}»  nigh  on  it  ; 
but  wo'so  fall  in  with  walor  uhilcs,  and,  I  gurss,  not 
with  so  many  of  tluMU  bars  ami  painters;  th<'y  critturs 
ktM>p  in  t'  woods  mostly." 

It  was  voxatious  to  sot  otit  unproviih'd  with  foo<l, 
and  with  no  moro  watrr  than  thiMr  leathern  hottlo 
would  eontain  ;  hut.  having  watered  the  ♦'inat'iated 
horses,  whieh  reluctantly  turntni  from  the  pool,  they 
rode  awjiy  at  a  sl«)w  paee.  'I'he  plain  was  si  ill  «>neum- 
herod  with  the  tall  aitemisia  tree;  hut  oeeasieiially 
ihey  m(^t  with  ]>atehes  of  thick  green  gjass,  i'rom 
whence  it  was  diflicult  to  move  the  famished  horses, 
and  at  length  they  hailed  the  sight  of  a  shallow  pool 
of  water,  surrounded  hv  willows;  hut,  alas!  white 
saline  eftlorescenee  upon  it,  and  the  crystals  of  salt  on 
the  banks,  assured  them,  before  they  tasted  it,  that  the 
water  would  he  undrinkable. 

*'  Then,  w'ouldn't  we  be  bilin'  the  pratees  in  it,"  said 
Peggy  ;  "  and  won't  they  be  altogether  tasty." 

The  experiment  jiroved  that  Peggy  was  right:  the 
insipid  roots  were  more  palaiable  N\hen  boiled  in  the 
valine  water;  and  th«>  gratilied  women  collected  a  bag 
of  the  crystals,  in  case,  as  the)  all  hoped,  that  they 
should  not  meet  with  any  more  salt  pools.  Despairing 
of  meeting  with  more  substantial  food,  the  sportsmen 
reluotantlv  sacrificed  a  dozen  prairie  birds,  which  "vere 
large  and  fat,  and  when  boiled  in  the  ?alt  water  with 
the  roots  which  they  could  always  find  on  their  path, 
made  an  excellent  and  satisfactory  stew.  The  poor 
horses  alone  were  disappointed  ;  they  snorted,  and 
Usted.  .'ind   shrunk  from    th«'    bitter  water,  and    stood 


SI 


OK    THK    ROOKY    MOUNTAINS. 


4a  1 


\\\\  for 
on  it ; 
S8,  not 
•rituns 

\    footi, 

boltlo 

nciatt'*! 

)l,  tlioy 

sirnally 

s,    iVoni 

l»orsc8, 

nv  pool 

!    >vhite 

suit  on 

liat  the 

it,"  i^aid 

[lit;   the 
in  the 
fl  a  hag 
[at  they 
[^pairing 
Drtsnitn 
•h  '.vere 
ler  with 
lir  path, 
poor 
'd,   and 
ll    stood 


pazitig  Ianj!;ui<lly  and  despairingly  on  the  (h'hl^ive 
beverage. 

"I  eatniot  stand  this,  Hodiiey,"  said  Harold.  "  W« 
CMi^^ht  to  dis('har<^e  these  railhriil  s«'ivantH,  and  set  thfun 
free,  to  find  their  v  ay  to  niore  fertile  regions.  It  is 
downright  inhnniainty  to  detain  them." 

"Well  then,"  said  daeoh,  with  a  grin,  *' you're  a  top 
hand,  you  are,  for  »>.  scrned  of  doctrine  ;  and  grand 
words  you  have,  hut  you're  noways  sound  I  guess. 
llnnian  critters  reckotis  afore  hrute  critters  anyhow,  I 
calkerlate;  and  send  thein  heasts  off',  and  whenj'll  wc 
he  ?  Wolves'  meat,  I  tell  ye,  lying  picked  clean  liere 
on  prairie.  First  them  'at's  weak,  then  them  'at's  stout. 
dro|)ping  otie  after  another  along  th'  tiail ;  and  sonu*  on 
ye,  may-he,  leavin'  s(jiiaws  or  mothers,  waitin*  life-long 
for  ye  to  cast  up." 

"  It  is  quite  true,  Jacob,"  said  Rodney  ;  "  we  are  cer- 
tainly called  upon  to  preserve  tlie  lives  God  has  lent 
us,  that  we  may  do  the  work  he  has  ordained  for  us ; 
and  it  is  plain  that  few  of  us  could  encounter  the  difTi- 
culties  of  the  wide  unknown  paths  spread  before  ua, 
without  the  aid  of  our  poor  four-footed  servants.  We 
must  be  tender  with  them  ;  but  we  must  still  use  them 
as  long  as  th(!y  can  carry  us.  Can  you  not  hold  out  a 
hope  to  us,  Jacob,  that  we  may  soon  meet  with  water?'* 

"Well  then,"  answered  Jacob  musing  awhile;  "it's 
dangerous  I  guess,  'cause  of  them  Injuns,  but  you  down- 
east  folks  bide  badly  without  yer  every-day's  editing  and 
drinking.  So,  I  calkerlate  ye'U  have  to  follow  me  a  bit 
more  south." 

"South  it  is,  Jacob,"  said  Dick;  "seeing  you've  set 
yourself  at  th*  helm  ;  but  I  can't  say  as  how  I  see 
th'  meanin'  of  your  tacking  on  this  here  plain  ground." 


!  ' 


n 


kin 

r  *- 


m 


w 

m 


H.^il- 


Wlf' 


*^^ 


..It 


:ii!ir 


■'•uiii! 


n  .ill 


^ 


n 


4  i;  i 


^!i 


-II 


1; 


1  i^ 


1    '•""R 


432 


THE  hi:ah-hiinti:rs 


South  lliey  journeyed  till  eveuitij;  brought  thtmi  in 
siglit  of  a  clump  of  taller  trees  than  usual,  beyciul  which 
they  came  to  a  narrow  rivulet,  and  men  and  horses  has- 
tened to  it  to  drink  ;  and  then  lave  their  heated  bodies 
for  some  time.  Then  the  horses  turned,  with  revived 
ap[)etite  to  feed  on  the  fresh  grass  near  the  water,  and 
the  men  set  out  up  the  stream  with  rod  and  net  to  try 
for  fish  ;  and,  late  as  it  was,  they  obtained  fish  for  a 
good  supper  that  night,  and  w  plentiful  breakfast  next 
morning,  before  they  crossed,  and  tlien  reluctantly 
abandoned  ihe  river,  under  the  peremptory  guidance  of 
Jacob. 

But  f^radually  a  pleasant  chan;.;e  of  region  broki;  u[k)U 
them;  tr'^es  of  every  variety;  tlu  American  cedar  and 
oak,  the  spreading  beech,  the  sumach  and  hickory,  all 
varied  in  foliage,  adorned  the  fertile  ])lain,  which  wrs 
brilliant  with  thousand:)  of  summer  flowers,  rich-colored 
geraniums,  white  lilies,  bignonias,  dappled  columbines, 
and  banks  of  golden  eschscholtzia.  Every  tree  was  an 
aviary ;  many  of  the  birds  were  beautiful  in  plumage, 
and  perhaps  the  most  attractive  among  thein  was  the 
noisy  useful  turkey. 

Far  away  they  saw  herds  of  animals  which  Jacob  said 
were  buffaloes  and  wild  horses ;  but  he  would  not  hear 
of  any  delay,  as  he  wished  to  strike  a  river  well  known 
ttD  bim  before  niglit.  But  they  passed  so  invitingly  near 
A  herd  of  small  deer,  that  before  the  creatuies  had 
scented  their  enemies  Harold  had  shot  one,  v»  Inch  they 
placed  on  the  freshest  of  the  horses. 

Many  times  as  they  moved  on,  Jacob  alighted  to  scru- 
tinize some  suspicious  crushed  grass,  or  broken  twig  ; 
but  Wiis  satisfied  that  all  remained  sp.fe ;  and  Ilahnee 
keenly  examined  the  trail,  and   assured    her   mistresi? 


.r~^r 


Ot    TflE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


438 


"no  red-^kin  foot  come  on  here."  Cheerfully  then  they 
crossed  a  wide  greer>  swamp,  to  a  belt  of  willows,  be- 
yond which  was  a  jrrowth  of  tall  grass,  six  feet  high, 
which  concealed  from  them  at  first  a  broad  clear  river, 
the  goal  at  which  Jacob  had  aimed. 

The  horses  struggled  through  the  grass  to  the  water, 
and  when  satisfied  began  to  feed  on  the  luxuriant  tall 
grass,  which  Mr.  Rodney  now  remarked  was  headed 
heavily  with  grain. 

"They're  like  to  be  greedy,  sir,"  said  John,  "for  if 
ever  I  set  my  eyes  on  a  bonnio  corn-field,  its  here,  and 
it's  not  oft,  I  reckon,  them  poor  beasts  fall  in  with  such 
like." 

"  It's  wild  rice,"  said  Jacob.  "  Ye'll  see  heaps  on't  in 
these  swampy  bits,  and  not  bad  bread-stuff  for  them  aa 
likes  such  fixins,  but  a  buffalo's  hump's  a  deal  better 
meat  for  men  I  guess." 

But  not  only  the  horses  were  satisfied,  but  the  men, 
and  still  more  the  women,  rejoiced  at  the  sight  of 
grain,  which  might  be  converted  into  bread  ;  anil  stalks, 
green  and  ripe,  were  cut  down,  for  on  sunny  slopes  it 
was  already  partially  ripened.  But  when  they  had 
rubbed  out  the  grains  the  Irishwomen  looked  disap- 
pointed, as  they  by  no  means  resembled  the  rice  they 
were  acquainted  with,  and  Mary,  with  some  suspicion, 
asked,  —  "  Will  it  be  fit  mate  for  a  Christian  to  ate, 
Mr.  Jacob  ?  " 

The  man  laughed  as  he  said,  "What!  ye  war  lookin* 

to  find  smooth,  bleached,  city  rice  fixins,  I  guess ;  but 

ye'll  not  see  that  there  a-growin'  on  prairie.     We  call 

this  here  grain  paddy,  and  if  ye'll  trouble  to  bruise  it 

atween    two   st-^nes   ye'll   jet   stuff  for   yer   dampers, 

honey." 

8T 


11 


•,   !•'  !| 


■!  mi 


J'-.' 
•li  i 


MM 


■I 


Mt; 


I 


It*' 
I' 

X 


i 


a^' 


4.14 


TIIK    HFAH-nrMI  HS 


'*  Tt    ts    llu'    Folfi'  avoini'  of  tho   voyn'jd's,"  sm'hI   Mr 
Ritclncy;  "in  sciciiliric  word^,  Zizftuiii  (UfiKttint.** 

"Tlu'tliin  husk  that  ('iiv(>h>p-i  lh«*  {^raiii,  cvi'ii  vf\w.u 
iMiltivafod,"  said  Mrs  Avondair,  "  must  he  ri'niovcd  he* 
fon;  it  is  dross«Ml  for  the  market  ;  hut  licro,  in  th<'  <h's. 
t'rt,  thd  wild  rifo  erusliod  into  flour,  »»s  Ilnhncc  can  do 
it,  and  hakod  in  hisoiiit-liko  cakos,  will  he  a  wholesome 
and  desirahle  relief  from  the  siekenin);  flesh.  The 
p'een  ears,  too,  are  agreeahle  vegctahles  when  hoiled 
with  meat." 

Every  hand  was  willingly  etn|)loy<'<l  In  the  pleasant 
task  of  cutting,  thrashing,  and  hrnising  the  ri|)e  riee  ;  a 
large  fire  IxMng  in  the  mean  lime  made  (»n  a  itroad,  flat 
stone,  to  heat  it  for  haking.  As  soon  as  snlVieient  riee 
was  bruised  ISFary  moistened  and  formed  it  into  thin 
cakes;  these  were  placed  on  the  heat(Ml  stone,  covered 
with  hroad  leaves,  and  then  with  the  ashes  of  the  fire, 
which  was  still  kej)t  up  round  them.  In  a  few  min- 
utes they  were  bake(l,  and  with  venison  steaks  made  a 
luxnrioifs  snpj)er.  The  crumpets,  as  Harold  named 
them,  were  greatly  approv<*d,  especially  by  the  Irish 
women,  who  declared  they  now  wished  for  nothing  more, 
except  a  cup  '^^  tea. 

The  skin  of  the  deer  was  cleaned,  and  spread  to  dr}', 
that  it  might  be  formed  into  a  bag  to  contain  a  store  of 
rice ;  and  after  thrashing  and  sifting  the  rest  of  the 
grain,  they  souglit  out  a  place  for  their  night's  lodg- 
ing. 

"  "We  have  the  choice  between  the  swamp  and  these 
Pit  stone?,  which  extend  from  the  water,"  said  Mr. 
Rodney.  "  I  conclude  they  are  really  part  of  the  bed 
of  tlie  river,  left  uncover*  d  in  this  dry  season.  Let  ua 
spread  the  rice-straw  ovei  them :  the  tall  rioe  will  shel- 


OK     rilK    KOCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


48fi 


ifT  iiM  froiii  o1is<'ivn(inii,  iiii<i  tlir  Cirsli  nil'  IVoin  tli« 
water  will  In   pIciHjint." 

"I  ^iM'ss,"  Niid  iliu'ob,  "  tlicre's  cornpftiiy  riif^li  ilu-m 
stones  as  mi;jrlitirt  be  so  pleusatit  when  a  niuii  were 
wimtin'  a  (iiii«t  rest.  Now,  wliat'll  yit  \n'  couiilin'  yor. 
vriltcr,  master  ?  " 

"Truly,  .jju'ob,"  niplifd  Mr.  llo(biey,  "I  s«('  nothing 
but  the  bhickenod  trunk  of  u  tr«'<*  floating  down  th«i 
smooth  river;  a  very  M^rrcjabh;  si^rht.  I  wish  we  had 
a  boat  to  sail  down  as  easily." 

"  Y(!'ll  have  to  lake  another  look  at  it,  1  ;^uess,"  said 
the  lrap|»er,  ehueklinji;;  and,  as  lie  spoke,  the  black  log 
beeanu!  animated,  and  su(di  a  hea<l  was  raised  from  the 
water  as  made  the  woiimmi  shriek,  an<l  the  whole  party 
iieeamp  hastily. 

"  It's  nou^jjht  but  an  allijjjafor,"  eontimKMJ  Jaeob  ; 
"  them  erifturs  swarms  in  cn^eks  down  hereaway.  Awk- 
ward euslomers  they  is,  when  they're  wantin<^  nieat  ; 
but  yon  erittur  has  heaps  of  them  h'v^  white  fish.  He'll 
not  trouble  to  land  his  cluirsr.y  carcass  just  now,  bar- 
rin'  he'd  seen  Miss  there  lyin'  sleepin'  (piiet,  and  easy 
to  come  at,  and  then,  may-be,  he'd  tri(ul  her  ior  a  change 
of  meat." 

Unwilling  to  rely  on  the  tranquil  appearance  of  the 
alligator,  they  withdrew  to  a  distance,  content  to  spread 
straw  over  the  swampy  ground ;  and  then  bring  up  the 
horses  from  their  rich  bancpiet  of  rice  to  a  safer  ground. 
But  before  they  came  up  to  the  animals  they  saw  them 
wildly  bursting  through  the  rice  in  great  terror.  It  was 
with  difficulty  that  they  were  captured  and  secured,  and 
then  it  was  disccvered  that  one  was  missing. 

"  I  knowed  we'd  loss  by  that  erittur,"  said  Jacob, 
coolly,  "  as  I  elapj  ed  eyes  on  him.     They're  rraftier 


ilii' 


i->->  III 


i. 


!l: 


1;'.'. 


ill 


43G 


THK  di:aj{-hi'nti;ks 


nor  un  Injun,  lli<'y  arc.  I  <»in'.-).s  hcM  r^ww  (liirtinj*  <m 
liku  A  sna;^  till  he  war  close  on  llicm  licMsts,  nntl  tlnin 
snap  at  ho  who  M'as  ni;^hcst,  with  his  l)i<;  jaws,  and  draw 
him  down.  Wtdl,  then,  hcttcr  loss  him  nor  a  Christin 
8o«l,  for  It's  an  awt'u*  end  to  be  swallowed  livin'  by  an 
u<;ly  crittur  like  liiui." 

This  was  a  vexations  and  ahirniinj;  termination  to 
their  enjoyment,  and  Mr.  Rodney  immediately  relin- 
quished his  wish  i'or  a  sailing  expedition. 

"  I'd  say  then  as  how  a  canoe's  all  rifrht,"  ohserved 
Jacob,  "  he  ean't  hurt  ye  in  a  good  bark  boat  or  a  dug- 
out, but  I'd  not  like  a  raft  on  this  here  creek.  I  guess 
yon  critturs  could  board  that  easy." 

"  I  reckon  nought  of  ver  fVesh-water  creeks,"  said 
Dick.  "  Give  me  a  taught  craft,  and  a  free  open  sea, 
where  there's  none  on  these  alligators,  nor  snags,  nor 
Injuns  shooting  on  ye  off  shore,  but  ye're  just  master 
yersel'  of  ship  and  of  water." 

"  The  Lord  is  king,  Mr.  Marlin,"  said  Dennis, 
**  on  the  say  as  well  as  on  the  land  ;  give  Ilim  the 
glory.  What  for  would  ye  call  yourself  master  of  the 
water  ?  " 

''  Isn't  it  at  His  word  the  stormy  wind  ariseth,  and  He 
only  can  make  tlie  storm  to  cease,  when  we  poor  crea- 
tures call  on  Him  in  our  trouble  ?  Isn't  it  pitiful, 
man,  to  be  callin'  yourself  strong  when  you're  altogethei 
wake?" 

"  Dennis  has  properly  rebuked  us  all,  Marlin,"  said 
Mr.  Rodtiey.  "  We  are  all  too  ready  to  be  proud  of 
our  small  amount  of  knowledge ;  God  give  us  gi*aee  to 
be  humble.  IMyself,  I  own  to  having  been  much  elated 
at  being  the  first  to  suggest  sailing  down  this  perilous 
river,  and  Jacob  was  aj)[)ointed  to  be  my  monitor.     J 


0|-    TlIK    KOCKy    MOTNTAINrt. 


437 


liave  spent  years  in  learning,  but  in  lliis  niallcr  he  waa 
wiser  than  I." 

"  Well,  then,"  said  .laeoh,  "  I  <iuess  as  liow  hooks  ia 
hooks,  and  prairies  is  prairies,  and  creeks  is  ereeks,  and 
every  critter  lias  his  own  share  of  work  lo  (h)  here 
below,  and  the  Lord  himself  is  the  only  master  of  larned 
and  savage,  trader  and  trapper.  All  we've  to  mind,  I 
calkerlate  is,  to  do  our  work  honest  and  slick  on,  like  a 
beaver,  which  critter  is,  to  my  mind,  not  far  short  on  a 
Christian." 

"  Except  the  one  mighty  step,  Jacob,"  replied  Mr. 
Kodney,  "the  step  from  reason  to  mer'^  instinct,  from 
the  immortal  to  the  perishable.  I\Ian  alone  has  a  soul 
to  be  saved." 

"  Well,  I'se  not  cpieshton  that,  master,"  said  Jacob. 
"  God  forbid  as  how  I  shouldn't  own  it  all.  Hut,"  he 
muttered  to  himself,  "  it's  a  pity,  it  is ;  tliem  beavers  ia 
fine  crittuis  1" 


•!• 


r 


488 


THi:    BEAR-HUNTERS 


1^' ' 


■':l    ! 


p 


,1 


w 
h 


I  1    "M 
'4 


CHAFTEP-     XXXVIII 

The  Trail. —  The  War-whoop. — The  ITorse-robbers. — A  sliarp 
Conflict.  •-•  Now  Accjuair.tances.  —  Old  Keiituckiaus.  —  News  firom 
Avondale.  —  A  Prospect  of  Hapj.iness. 

At  early  morning,  Mike  came  up  to  Harold  with  a 
vexed  look,  and  said,  "  Muslia,  yer  lionner,  didn't  Will 
and  I  mane  to  be  gettm'  a  grand  lot  of  fish  to  break- 
fast ;  and  sure,  didn't  we  [<ee  that  same  thafe  of  the 
world  staling  up,  quite 'cute,  saking  ort  another  horse 
to  ate,  and  didn't  we  run  away,  thrne  it  is,  and  lave  hira 
all  the  fish  for  himself,  the  nigger." 

"  You  did  quite  right.  Mike,"  answered  Harold. 
"  There  was  no  disgrace  in  running  from  such  a  can- 
nibal  ;  he  might  have  wished  to  try  if  boy  tasted  as 
well  as  horse.  We  must  have  more  crumpets  for  break- 
fast."- 

They  kept  at  a  safe  distance  from  the  dreaded  river, 
and  passing  through  a  wilderness  of  brilliant  flowers; 
pmk  and  purple  phlox,  white  azalea,  noble  magnolia, 
and  other  glorious  blossoms  of  the  season,  they  diverged 
into  a  grove  of  cypress  and  cedars,  where  they  hoped 
to  find  the  desired  shelter.  But  an  exclamation  from 
Hahnee  ai  rested  them,  and  all  saw  plainly  by  the 
crushed  grass  and  broken  flowers,  that  the  foot  of  man 
had  trodden  there.  The  trail  was  broad,  the  moccasin 
of  Uie  Indian,  not  the  foot  of  his  horse,  had  made  that 
truil :    but  from  the  condition  of   the    broken  flowers. 


OF    THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


439 


Halinee  jiitlged  that  it  was  two  daya  since  the}  were 
trodden  down. 

"  Then,  at  all  events,  they  are  far  beyond  u?/'  said 
Harold^  "  and  we  need  not  hurry  to  overtake  them  ?  " 

'*  They'll  may -be  turn  on  us,"  said  Jacob.  "  What 
think  ye,  Hahnee  woman  ?  I'se  not  pleased  about  thia 
here  trail.     Would  they  be  braves,  think  ye  ?  " 

"No,  no,"  answered  she,  "  no  war-path  here.  Braves 
take  war-path  on  horse.  Red-skin  on  nioccnsin  go  rob 
and  burn,  come  back  on  horse,  leave  bla/e  in  lodge, 
burn  all!" 

"  She  knows  a  heap,"  exclaimed  Jacob,  in  admira- 
tion. "  It's  plain  it's  been  a  troop  of  them  robbers  as 
looks  after  bosses.  We'se  have  to  r.^nul,  else  we'se  lose 
both  bosses  and  hair,  I  guess.  Let's  keep  on  their  trad, 
that  it  mayn't  be  notished ;  and  if  we  see  'cm  nigli,  we 
must  make  for  bush-cover,  or  tree-cover,  and  if  we 
can't  casha  these  here  beasts,  we'se  have  to  turn  'em 
loose." 

They  followed  the  trail  undisturbed  till  night,  glad  to 
be  able  io  keep  near  the  river,  and  in  the  evening  they 
succeeded  in  taking  a  large  supply  of  beautiful  white 
fish,  and  small  trout  or  greyling ;  then  plunging  into  the 
midst  of  a  wood  that  skirted  the  river,  they  found  a 
small  clearing,  where  they  ventured  to  broil  their  fish, 
tie  up  the  horses,  and  leaving  a  watch,  the  rest  com- 
posed themselves  to  sleep. 

But  their  rest  was  soon  disturbed  by  yells,  vhich, 
though  distant,  were  sufficiently  alarming,  for  they  were 
recognized  as  the  Indian  war-whoop,  and  Jacob  was  of 
opinion  that  some  of  the  horse-stealers  or  scalp-hunterg 
had  been  detected  in  a  nocturnal  foray,  and  attacked. 
''  It's  like  enough,"  said  he,  "  that  them  'at's  rogues  will 


W 


&'■ 


w 


i^i 


I' 


m 
m 


w 


u 


il.H 


';W..»,«fiVS^^' 


u 

r  1 

in- 

w 

¥ 

fH 

4f- 

1 

■'1'' . 

^'\ 

i    . 

;       ■;.; 

V  - 


•'I 


■"„* 


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t; 

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■  "- 

■ 

i-  > 

4      ■; 

ft.--.   ' 

i- 

■■k.  1 

1 

^■j 

JL 

! 

440 


TIIK    llF.AU-nrNTr.KS 


romo.  olV  lu'st,  Vmuso,  ye  sec,  iImmii  vlo;:;^  is  ''"'.ie  etiougli 
to  limit  in  l»ig  pju-ks  ;  two  tliieves  to  iver}-  poor  soul 
robbed." 

"  Couldn't  we  help  tlie  victims  ?"  said  IImoUI  caj^t-rly. 
"  It  ean't  be  ri;:;lit  to  skulk  here,  when  robbery  and 
murder  are  {J^oing  on." 

"  And  we  loss  our  own  luiir,  I  gui'ss,"  answered  Ja- 
cob. "  It's  like  enough  them  very  eritturs  as  we  helped 
would  be  first  to  fall  on  us.  Hut  I'd  like  to  know  what's 
what,  it'  we'd  a  sharp  seont." 

**  Wouldn't  I  like  to  be  papin'  after  them,  Jaeob," 
said  Mike;  "and  me  just  firin'  a  gun  ior.ong  them; 
wouldn't  they  be  jinn  pin'  ?  " 

At  this  moment  the  report  of  firearms  was  distinetly 
heard,  .And  Jaeob  exelaimed,  "  Well,  then,  I  ealkcrlate 
that's  niver  Injun  shot ;  them  critturs  ean  niver  fire  a 
volley,  they  just  pop  one  arter  anotlwr.  I  guess  it's 
some  hunters  or  trappers  as  them  re  l-skinncd  rogues 
has  fallen  on.  If  this  doesn't  beat  a  lull  beaver-trap  1 
We're  in  for  it  now.  Ilould  baek  you,  JNIike;  you're 
not  uj)  to  yer  work.  Here,  Pat,  young  'un,  go  ahead  ; 
you're  a  deep  hand." 

"  Sure,  thin,  Jaeob,"  replied  the  flattered  lad,  "  won't 
I  be  threein'  all  the  way,  and  spyin  out  what's  the 
shindy,  and  thin  stalin  baek  sharp  to  feteh  ye  all  up  to 
be  shootin'  the  rapparees.     Is  it  now,  plase  ?  " 

"Now  it  is,"  said  Captain  Seruton,  in  a  tone  of  au* 
"  Don't  be  alarmed,  ]Mr.   Rodnev,  the  boy  is 


tl 


loritv 


■ihrewd,  and  will  make  a  better  spy  than  an  older  hand. 
Listen  to  my  instruetions,  Patrick." 

By  this  time  Patrick  was  far  be}'ond  hearing  orders; 
with  the  swif'tness  of  a  greyhound  he  had  set  out,  his 
«yes  and  his  ears  open.     Though  the  time  app(!ared 


OF    THK    HOCIvV    MOINIAINS. 


441 


long,  it  was  in  efl'cct  very  Hj)(M'<lily  that  tlic  lioy  rcaj)- 
|)«*Hn'(l  in  great  cxcifrmrnt,  cryin;^  out,  "  Let  mk;  g»!t  on 
beiiind,  and  my  bow  and  arrows,  and  hv.  {j^alloping 
sharp.  Snn",  isn  t  it,  only  six  Christians  a;^in  hiindrwls 
of  Red  Injuns  P  and  all  them  saints  horses  thav«!d. 
Mnslia!  won't  we  be  shootin'  the  rappan^es  dead  alto- 
gether?" 

Trusting  the  disparity  of  numbers  was  not  so  great 
as  it  aj>peared  to  the  eyes  of  Pat,  the  travellers  ungrate- 
fully refusing  to  admit  the,  boy  to  share  tlu;  honoi's  of 
the  combat,  notwithstanding  his  urgent  entreaties,  rode 
off  at  full  spee<l.  The  contiimed  yells  and  the  ocea- 
eional  shots  guided  them  to  the  seene  of  the  conflict, 
which  was  not  more  than  half  a  mile  distant,  beneath  a 
clump  of  i,rees. 

Including  Mike,  they  numbered  nine  good  meh, 
armed  and  mounted,  and  to  prescsnt  a  more  imposing 
appearance,  tin;  captain  onlered  theui  to  ride,  abreast. 
When  they  came  within  fifty  yards  of  the  combatants, 
at  a  signal,  they  gave  a  loud  cheer.,  which  was  immedi- 
ately responded  to  by  the  unfr^rtunate  six  white  nien, 
who  rode  up  to  meet  their  w(  Ico/ne  friends.  The  In- 
dians seemed  to  be  in  possession  of  a  vast  number  of 
horses,  which  were  plainly  very  unrulj^  and  not  more 
than  thirty  or  forty  of  them  had  riders.  A  random 
shower  of  arrows  from  them  did  no  harm. 

"Are  these  men  really  robbers?"  asked  Mr.  Rodney. 

"  They've  carried  off  all  those  horses  from  us,"  said 
the  leader  of  the  strangers  ;  and  they're  looking  out  for 
our  scalj)s. 

Captain  Scruton  immediately  gave  the  word  to  fire, 
and  a  well-directed  volley  created  immense  confusion 
Rmcng  the  IndiaJ  s ;  while  the  horses  dashH  wildly  for 


m 


It 


W 


m 

0 

m 


,!•'■ 


442 


THE   BEAK-HUN'rKRR 


I!!;:     I 


I 

m 

m 


m 


U  - 

11  ir: 
I 


I! 


'  !; 


•n 


111  •■ 


!P: 

P 

i 

m 


ward,  but  being  tied  together  in  a  string  they  were  un- 
able to  break  loose,  and  only  impeded  the  movements 
of  the  robbers,  who  seemed  desirous  of  escaping. 

"  The  dogs !  they  calculate  to  carry  off  the  horsco," 
exclaimed  the  strangers.  "No  gentleman  can  ever 
stand  these  horse-robbers,  the  eternal  brutes !  There's 
no  sleeping  quiet,  sir,  for  their  knavery  ;  but,  there's  no 
denying  it,  their  rascality  is,  out  and  out,  a  clever  insti- 
tution." 

The  Indians,  impeded  in  their  flight,  fought  for  their 
booty  bravely ;  but  a  few  more  volleys,  followed  by  a 
grand  charge  upon  them,  dispersed  the  red-skins,  who, 
after  a  vain  attempt  to  lead  off  the  captured  horses, 
abandoned  them,  and  fled  over  the  plains  like  lightning. 
John  and  Harold  then  assisted  the  owners  to  secure 
their  horses,  or  they  would,  after  all,  have  taken  to  the 
prairie  ;  then  the  stranger  turned  to  his  friendly  deliv- 
erers, and  said, — 

"  I  guess  we  are  as  near  our  latter  end  as  we  shall 
ever  be  till  the  thing  comes  in  airnest,  if  you  strangers 
hadn't  stepped  in  slick  at  the  right  time.  You'll  never 
have  another  such  chance,  1  calculate.  And  where 
may  you  all  hail  from,  gentlemen?" 

Mr.  Rodney,  to  whom  this  speech  was  especially  ad- 
dre;«sed,  smiled  at  the  American  ease  of  the  man  so 
lately  rescued  from  death,  and  saw  that  he  was  a  flne- 
h)okiug,  respectably-dressed  man  ;  plainly  no  trapper. 
The  rough  men  who  followed  him,  thi);jgh  equally  free 
and  familiar  in  their  manner,  had  the  appearance  of  ser- 
vants or  laborers. 

"  We  are  a  party  of  travellers,"  replied  Rodney.  "I 
conclude,  from  your  stud  of  horses,  that  you  must  be  a 
settler." 


OF    THK    hOCKT    MOUNTAINS. 


443 


"  Hardly  that,  yet  a  bit,"  answered  he.  "  I'm  Abra* 
ham  Branton,  raised  in  Kentucky;  started  out  htre 
iiways  to  a  clearing  that  he  that  owns  it  wanted  to  trade 
off,  he  being  a  Britisher,  and  tired  of  our  grand  country. 
This  loss  is  his,  you  mark,  because  our  contract  isn't 
signed.  But  he  took  bad  when  he  got  a  sight  of  In- 
dians ;  you  see,  he  owes  them  a  spite,  and  he  were  not 
fit  to  come  after  the  thieves  ;  so  it  wasn't  in  me  to  let 
the  rogues  run  off  clear." 

"  How  did  they  contrive  to  'load  off  all  your  horpes?" 
asked  Scruton.  "  Don't  you  keep  a  watch  in  these  dan- 
gerous prairies?" 

"  I  guess  we'd  not  find  men  to  keep  watch  by  night 
and  work  by  day,"  answered  Branton.  "  Our  men  will 
fight  like  buffalo  bulls,  but  they've  no  fancy  for  watch- 
ing, when,  ten  to  one,  there's  no  need.  Well,  then,  give 
us  your  names  and  your  callings." 

Mr.  Branton  was  formally  introduced  to  the  whole 
party ;  and  after  they  had  ascertained  that  five  Indians, 
and  as  many  horses,  were  left  dead  on  the  field,  they 
turned  to  lead  ihe  st4-angers  and  their  horses  to  the  en- 
campment, in  order,  as  Mr.  Branton  said,  that  his  men 
might  "  have  a  snooze." 

He  was  much  astonished  to  see  women  ready  to 
welcome  their  friends,  and  they  were  equally  aston- 
ished to  see  civilized  men  in  that  wild  desert;  but  all 
were  too  weary  to  enter  into  exj)lanations  till  mornijig. 
The  women  had  prepared  broiled  fish  and  rice  cakes  for 
breakfast,  which  the  numerous  party  speedily  consumed. 

"  You  don't  feel  badly  on  the  prairie,"  observed  Bran- 
ton ;  '*only  fish  is  a  poor  watery  fixing  for  str  nig  men. 
JTou  should  look  after  buffalo  meat.  I  guess  the  beasta 
are  thick  enDugh  on  yon  hills." 


'  '!<    I 

.1 


M 

m 

I* 


Ij'iii!' 


i 


'■■■'^ 


444 


THE    BKAR-nUNTKUS 


*'  And  so's  Injuns,"  growl(?(l  Jacob  ;  "  and  fish-feed's 
a  lieap  belter  nor  a  scalped  skull.  We  keeps  our  eyea 
open  on  prairie,  ye  see  ;  and  we  knows  when  to  hunt 
and  when  to  keep  close." 

"  And  a  pity  it  would  be  to  scalp  that  skull  of  thine, 
friend,"  replied  Branton,  "  because  there's  brains  under 
H.  I  guess  thou'st  no  Britisher.  Where  wast  thou 
raised  ?  " 

'*  Not  far  from  your  houlding,  Abraham  Branton," 
said  Jacob  ;  "  and  your  father,  Isaac  Branton,  I  guess» 
would  sing  out  my  name  in  no  time." 

"  Well,  then,"  answered  Branton,  "  may-be  I'll  strike 
on  the  trail  myself.  I'm  in  the  n.ind  that  you'll  turn 
up  to  be  that  harum-scarum  fellow,  Jacob  Lightfbot,  the 
wandering  trapper." 

"  There's  queer  chances  in  men's  lives,"  said  the 
trapper ;  "  and  it  wasn't  in  natur'  ibr  me  to  look  to  set 
eyes  on  Isaac  Branton's  bould  lad  hereaways,  seein'  as 
how  he  war  allays  tor  militia  trading." 

"  He's  Colonel  Branton,  he  is,  any  day  he  likes,  full 
out,"  said  one  of  the  men,  continuing  to  smoke  his  pipe 
coolly  in  tlie  face  of  the  "  Colonel ;  "  "  but  he's  ta'en  a 
fancy  to  turn  settler ;  I  guess  he'll  have  a  gal  in  his 
eye." 

"  Keep  to  your  own  side  of  the  road,  Amos,"  said 
the  colonel.  "  You  see.  Captain  Scruton,  it's  good  to 
take  a  look  at  all  sides  of  life.  You've  had  starts  off 
land  and  off  sea,  I  guess,  yourself,  and,  likely,  know  a 
heap.  Now,  I  calculate  to  lay  out  a  town  yonder,  and 
if  you've  a  few  smart  hands  to  spare,  I'd  not  mind 
giving  them  a  plot  to  begin  on.  It's  been  poorly 
minded,  yon  clearing !  What  couH  you  look  lor  under 
a   shy,  proudish    Britisher,   who  didn't  know  half  his 


OF    THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


445 


r  suid 

)od   to 

•ts  off 

mow  a 

[r,  and 

mind 

)Oorly 

lunder 

If  his 


peopled,  and  was  ever  and  away  running  off  after  the 
Indians,  seeking  lost  friends.  But  he's  not  half  a  bad 
fellow,  fur  all  tiiat,  isn't  Avondale " 

Mrs.  Avondale  u.tered  a  faint  cry,  and  Mr.  Rodney 
said,  ''  Was  your  friend  seeking  for  his  wife  and  child 
among  the  Indians?  Tell  us  all  you  know,  for  we  are 
all  very  anxious." 

"  Well,  then,"  answered  Bi-anton,  "  I  f^icss  Avon- 
dale's  not  one  of  your  great  talkers  ;  but  Joel  there,  his 
horse-keeper,  he  knows  a  heap  about  it,,     How  waa't, 


man 


■? " 


**  Injuns,"  grumbled  the  rough  man,  "  nigh  about 
put  him  down  ;  left  him  on  prairie,  a  gone  coon, 
or  thereabout.  Scjuaw  and  pa})Oose  missing,  and  he 
nrgufying  ever  sin'  as  how  they're  livin'  among  Injuns. 
Total  unrasonable  he  are  consarning  that ;  but  I  guess 
it'll  take  a  goad  'un  to  put  it  out  of  his  head.  There- 
upon he  took  a  clearin',  and  when  I  war  loafin'  about  at 
St.  Louis,  he  picks  me  up  to  keep  horses,  and  we  fit 
one  another  fair.  It's  years  now  we've  been  yonder; 
but  nows  and  thens,  when  his  mad  fit  comes  on,  he 
sttu'ts  off  roamin'  over  prairie,  like  a  rampant  buffler 
a/5  has  lost  company,  and  comes  back  all  shakin'  and 
white-like,  —  all  as  ripe  corn  as  wants  cuttin'.  It's 
junaticks;  doctor  says,  as  we  hailed  out  from  St.  Louis 
to  look  at  him  !  " 

"My  Alexander!  my  husband!"  cried  the  agitated 
Mrs.  Avondale. 

*'  She'll  be  another,  I  calkerlate,"  said  Joel,  nodding 
significantly  at  the  lady. 

"  You'ir  etarnal  ignorant,  you  are,  Joel,"  replied 
Jacob.  ''  She's  no  more  tiiat  nor  you  are  youv^^elt^ 
There's  bigger  wonde/s  nor  beaver-dams  in  this  worlds 

88 


fl 


llii'il 


list;  HI 


;,.«■(  ;5l 


Wv 


$ 


h'/l 


u 


446 


TIIK    BKAR-HlJNThR9 


T  gucas'.  I'vt:  kno\v(!(l  a  man  uforo  now  on  this  [)rjiiri« 
as  had  luul  his  hair  carried  off,  and  art<'r  that  has  met 
him  'at  did  it,  and  scalped  him  clever.  Oft  them  as  waa 
reckoned  dead,  turns  up  a^in  lively.  AVherehy  I  cal 
kerlate  your  man  may  see  his  squaw  agin,  and  tlial 
afore  long  ;  mind  my  say,  Joel." 

Joel  stared  stu;  "dly  -vw]  .  aid,  "You're  a  gobbier, 
oiild  fellow,  .'oj  a.  .  :■  i  UieiOi  nofoliering  yer  trail.  I 
guess  ye've  some    ra 

In  the  mean  time  IJianton  ;  1  been  made  acquainted 
with  Mrs.  Avondale's  joyful  Isopes,  which  there  seemed 
now  no  doubt  were  well  I'ounded. 

"  But  we're  not  at  Avondale  yet,"  observed  IJran- 
ton.  "  I'd  not  wonder  if  the  horse-robbers  rally,  and 
muster  a  good  force  to  come  down  on  us,  and  recover 
their  booty.  I  guess  they'd  be  mad  when  they  came 
to  think  how  cowardly  they'd  been.  So  we'd  better 
make  a  start  slick,  for  we've  two  good  days'  work  yet 
before  we're  on  safe  ground.  You'll  not  need  much 
packing,  I  reckon," 

They  set  out  with  a  formidable  parly  of  fiftecMi  effec- 
tive men,  mounted  and  armed,  sufficiently  strong,  Cap- 
tain Seruton  believed,  to  opj)Ose  any  troop  of  Indians  ; 
but  Branton  shook  his  head  as  he  pointed  out  the 
incumbrances;  the  string  of  unmanageable  horses,  the 
women,  the  old  and  the  infirm. 

•'  We  may  reckon  half  our  men  as  told  off,"  said 
liranton,  "to  guard  them  that  cannot  help  themselves j 
and  it's  odds,  that  they  doji't  come  on  us  by  hundreds 
If  the  rogues  had  put  off  their  prank  two  days,  we'd 
have  defied  them.  I  was  looking  for  fifty  stout  fellows 
joining  me  to  take  up  bits  of  clearings  yonder  at 
Avondale,  —  real  smart  lads,  that  have  smelt  powder 


OP   THR    ROCKY    M0UMAIN3. 


147 


inijcli 

I'lfec- 
Cap- 

dians  ; 

It  the 
5,  the 

said 

drcds 
we'd 

allows 
Ur   at 

)wder 


aiul  liad  thc'r  hlood  riz  yoiulur  again  the  ^Icxioans. 
ThejM  have  cut  uj)  the  Sioux  dogs  to  sliivors.  Well, 
murk  }  e  this,  Joel,  if  '.  /e'rc  like  to  be  put  dow  ii  by 
these  redskins,  you  get  these  women  off  snug,  and 
away  to  Avondale,  and  bring  up  my  frllows  like  a 
blas'e  of  lightning  to  help  all  that  are  left  of  us." 

"  Well,  tluMi,  colonel,"  answered  Joel,  "  I'd  gainer 
be  arter  my  own  turn.  I  guess  I'se  horse-keeper ;  not 
woman-keeper." 

*'  Didl  dog !  "  exelaimed  Branton.  ''  Whiel'  <>l'  'ou 
men  will  arn  a  few  dollars  from  Avondale,  hy  del-  i'- 
ing  over  his  goods  safe  ?  " 

"I'll  do  it,  Abraham,"  rej)lied  Jaeob  ;  '  ?^  jt  for 
dollars,  whieh  reckons  small  hcreaways  ,  but  paitly 
not  likin'  to  see  j)oor  women  scalped  by  t.  l^  bloody 
rogues,  and  partly  a  bit  of  regard  lor  you  and  old  Ken- 
tucky. And  I'd  be  handier  at  that  job  nor  iightin'  now, 
and  it'll  lighten  your  hands." 

"I  earnestly  hope  we  may  not  require  such  service," 
said  Rodney,  ''  so  near  as  we  are  to  the  settlements." 

"  We'll  have  to  keep  our  ityu^  0{)en  yet,"  said  Bran- 
ton,  "and  after  all  we're  none  of  us  up  to  Injini  cun- 
ning. Theni's  few  trees  we  ride  [ast  but  what  may 
hold  one  of  their  scouts." 

"  And  them  hearin'  Pat  and  me  ;tpakin'  hard  words 

« 

igin  them,"  said  Mike.  "  Won't  they  be  mad,  musha!" 
"  They's  not  up  to  English,  mj  iad,"  answered 
Branton,  "  let  alone  Irish,  which  I  take  tt  you're 
talking.  But  they'll  read  off  a  man's  meaning  as  fast 
as  the  schoolmaster  reads  off  his  mulpulication-table. 
Tliey're  deep  files,  and  it  takes  r  sharp  b'*i»vpr  to  cheat 
an  Injun." 


I 
I 


til 


i;  :  A 


448 


TMi;    UKAU-IIUNTKKS 


CIIAPTEU     XXXIX. 


II 

If  > 


J* 


■J , 

:1^ 


The  Night-hirds  again.  —  Tiping  to  Quarters.  —  Jacob's  big  liOt.  — 
lU'tt'ut  jiiid  Captivity. —  Tlie  liiti'iitiims  of  the  Swift  KIk.  — 'Ih« 
AiuuseiiH'iit  of  tlic  Scpiaws.  —  Feeiliiig  Time. 

NoTwrrnsTANDiNG  lli('  i)r('(licti<)n  of  liriniloii,  \\\(-. 
travellers  went  on  tljroiigli  the  day  witliout  ()l)servin»» 
any  thing  to  alarm  them.  I'lie  men  shot  two  fine  bucks, 
and  they  eneamped  on  a  k)V(*ly  hanlv  sloping  down 
into  a  ravine,  the  dry  bed  of  a  river,  and  surrounded 
by  noble  tr(;es.  It  was  a  fairy  land  of  bright  flowers, 
soft  breezes,  and  curious  and  beautiful  birds  —  the 
oriole,  the  woodpecker  of  golden  wing,  and  the  amus- 
ing mocking-bird  ;  and  in  this  sweet,  sequestered 
spot  the  young  and  ha[)py  ha»r  no  a|)prehension  o^' 
evil. 

•'  You're  a  jolly  lot  to  fix  on  a  lone  man  yonder," 
said  Branton  ;  "  but  there's  wealth  of  stores  at  Avondale, 
and  gardens  of  fine  fruits  and  vegetables,  with  forests 
of  game  to  feed  you  all." 

"  AVill  there  be  praters,  and  pigs  runnin'  in  and  out, 
think  ye,  yer  honner?"said  Peggy.  "Isn't  thiit  same 
the  glorv  of  the  world,  sure?" 

"  Well,  then,  good  woman,"  answered  Branton, ''  there's 
glory  enough  of  that  sort.  There's  cows,  and  dairies, 
and  chickens,  and  such  small  lixings  fit  for  women  folks. 
I  guess  it  were  Avondale's  fancy  to  keep  all  spiek  and 
si)and(U'  for  his  wife;  and  he  never  minded  being 
laughed  at  a  bit,  not  he  ;  he  kept  his  stand,  and  he's  like 


OF    TIIK    HDCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


449 


tc  coiiH'  in  wiuiHT,  if  we  iDiiid  what  we're  uhoiit.  Now 
tiirn,  my  men,  yon'n!  imt  to  stnnd  loafirijr  aiul  li>trning 
hrrcahoiit ;  you'll  kcM'p  walch  outsidi;  tli<*  wood,  and 
tlirow  your  eyes  smartly  rouiul.  Pity  it's  like  to  come 
on  thick.     See,  the  mist's  <rHth«'riii«^  in  !" 

This  was  not  an  unfrrijiiciit  termination  of  an  cxctM- 
sivcly  hot  day  ;  and  the  scouts,  findinj.'  th(;ir  employ- 
me7it  vain,  hmifjj  idly  ahout,  lonn;;ing  and  chattinj^  in  an 
undertone:  while  those  otF  duty  obtained  a  little  sleep. 


y 


'l> 


Jacob,  who  was  among  the  slee[)ers,  woke  up  before  hia 


.Id 


time,  uneasy  wnh  wsome  va«:^ue  suspicions,  lie  con 
see  nothing;  thi;  lii;;  had  evi.'ii  died  out.  He  listened; 
but  all  was  still,  except  the  muttering  of  the  drowsy 
sentinels,  the  hum  of  beetles,  and  the  low,  deep  notes  of 


tl 


le  niirh 


l-birdi" 


He  woke  Arncliffe,  who  lay  next  to  him,  saying,  "  I'ra 
not  half  likin'  yon  whooi)in,  man.  What  think  ye,  is't 
owh.'t  or  Injun  ?  " 

Arnclitfe  growled  at  this  interruption  of  his  slum- 
bers, and  muttered  surlily,  "  What  for,  can't  ye  let  me 
be?  Let  them  as  watches  watch,  and  them  as  slee 
sleep.     What  know  T  of  a  Jenny  owlet's  tongue?" 


ps 


"  JNIan  !  I  tell  ye,"  said  Jacob,  starting  up,  "yon's 
niver  an  owlet  at  all !  Them  fools  of  scouts  have  h.'tten 
Injuns  creep  in  round  about  us.  Halloo!  captin,  ye're 
about  keent^st.  We're  trapped;  and  them  hootins  is 
meanin'  words." 

"  Signals    they  are,  Jacob,"  said  Scruton   promptly. 


u 


ou  re  a  man 


to  be  trusted  ;  but  I  never  can  trust  a 
lund-watch.  where  every  man  does  as  he  likes.  Marlin, 
rouse  up,  and  pipe  to  quarters ;  the  enemy  are  bearing 
down  upon  us." 

The  worl  was  passed  from  one  lair  to  anoth(T;  and 

38* 


' 


m 


4  no 


;::t 


I 


1 

i 
t 

i 

. 

1 

i 
i 
( 

'!*' 

■ 

■  ;i!  '' 

'  t 

;          i 

;                      I 

i 

Ml 

Mi    :■ 

t 

:           ! 

i ,   ; 

■  1 

jiiJ 

'1  ^' 

1 

\       ! 

1   "              ! 

t 

I                 ' 

•■-V    -■  ! 

1 

^ 

V 

TIIK    BKAR-IIUNTKUS 


(jiii'tly  lh«^  men,  nocustonH'd  to  <lisci|»liiM',  pro|inrril  for 
lli(>  strife.  I^)rMut()n  mikI  liis  Ain<'fi«'Hii  followers  were, 
on  tlie  continry,  noisy,  hiisilin*;,  Mud  iii>iil)oi(liiiatft 
Every  mnn  Iiad  Iiis  own  opinion,  and  Iiis  own  plan  ;  no 
on(^  had  a  decided  object  except  Joel,  wiio  determined 
to  save  his  liorses,  and  .Jacob,  who  prepared  to  make 
off  with  the  women. 

"We've  set  np  our  flxinjjs  over  a  wolf-traj),  I  {jness, 
Captain  Scrnton,"  said  IJranton.  ''  If  we'd  kept  out  on 
tlie  prairie  we  mi^ht  have  hud  fair  play;  now  we're 
trapped,  lint  we'll  die  iiard.  Jacob,  yon  knowinjjj  old 
coon,  yon  see  and  get  the  women  nionnlefl ;  and  as  soon 
as  we  can  tell  where  the  ro^jjues  are  jrathered,  yon  make 
a  start,  clear  olf  the  opposite  way;  and  if  Joel  can  save 
his  horses,  he  must  consort  with  yon." 

The  sifTtials  still  continued,  and  wei'(»  responded  to 
as  the  keen-eared  Jacob  |)ointed  out,  in  various  kej's 
and  notes,  a  perfect  telef;raphie  conference. 

"  There  can  be  no  mistake  now,"  said  Harold  ;  "  I  can 
distin<i;uish  the  imj)osition  myself.  Vriiut  are  we  to  do 
—  to  leave  this  glade  for  the  prairie,  or  to  form  a 
square,  and  defend  onrselves  here?" 

"  The  open  sea,  if  yon  please,  Mr.  Crofton,"  said 
Scruton ;  "there  can  be  no  fair  battle  in  a  narrow 
harbor." 

"  You  are  doubtless  right,  Captain  Scrnton,"  said 
Rodney;  "you  are  accustomed  to  the  tactics  of  war- 
fare ;  but  allow  me  to  suggest,  as  the  encounter  seem.^ 
inevitable,  that  our  first  duty  is  to  send  away  the 
weak." 

Ilahnee  was  sent  out  to  listen,  and  report  on  the 
position  of  the  enemy,  and  returned  to  say  :  "  Ilahnee 
gee  many  red  liglit  in  dark  night.     Sioux  brave  come 


OF   THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


4.M 


oil  Wiir  pulii ;  tlicy  Ijupm  trcf,  and  «;nHs,  and  all  pale-face 
S'u)iix  inniiy,  liko  buiralors  on  in-airie." 

Harold  irnn-tdf  saw,  fnun  the  exterior  of  the  wood, 
the  {j;liin!n<'rinj;  of  niinieroiis  torehes  tiiroii^h  the  mist, 
lie  judj;ed  the  Indians  eould  not  be  more  than  lialf 
a  mile  fi'om  IIkmu,  and  were  evidently  approaehing 
swiftly. 

"  Oir  with  the  women  and  the  horses,  you  men,"  j«aid 
Branton  ;  "keep  alonjjf  the  ravine,  —  it  will  sludter  you 
till  daylight,  then  Joel  will  j^uide." 

"  It's  a  bij^  lot,"  si<^hed  .laeob,  as  he  saw  the  five 
women  and  old  Deiuiis  mounted  to  set  out.  "  One 
man'll  have  his  hands  full  to  mind  'em." 

"  TluM'e's  Joel  to  help,  old  fellow,"  said  Branton  ;  "  be 


movnig. 


"  Well,  then,"  drawled  Joel, "  I  j^ueas  I'be  have  plenty 
to  look  arter  with  them  bosses ;  I'd  hardly  be  lossing 
them  for  jmy  womenfolk,  I  calkerlate." 

"You're  a  proper  old  grimter,  .Joel,"  replied  Branton. 
"  Now,  I  t(dl  you,  if  there's  danger,  eut  loose  the  horses, 
they'll  find  their  way  to  their  own  corral,  and  you  help 
save  the  women." 

Jo('l  <;rowled  reb(dlion  as  he  led  his  string  of  horses 
down  into  the  ravine,  followed  by  Jaeob  and  his  train ; 
and  as  they  rode  off,  the  trampling  of  the  liorses  was 
plainly  heard. 

"  Is  ;'  're  not  a  hope,  that  if  we  followed  the  women, 
we  mighi  "sc^ipe  ?  "  asked  Rodney. 

"  Not  a  jM'ek  of  that,"  answered  Branton  ;  "  these 
savage  dogs  ride  horses  as  wild  as  themselves,  and  tluy 
fly  like  the  wind.  We  must  fight  or  fall,  1  g'.u'ss. 
Come  out,  clear  of  these  bothering  trees;  we'll  never 
be  killed  in  n  trap." 


il  1 "  I 

'  I!  M 


i 


452 


THE    BEAK-IIUNTERS 


t;'J    V     i 


m 


I 


"I'd  say  form  in  the  raviiu',"  .fiulu  Air.v-liiTe, '•  tlien 
fire  this  wood,  and  roast  tiicin  cowardly  spies.  The 
wind's  fair  for  us,  and  would  kocp  the  dogs  off  us  a  bit.** 

"  Clever  it  is,"  said  Scruton  musingly,  "  but  hardly 
'air  warfare." 

*'  Fair  !  "  replied  ArnelifTe  seornfully  ;  "  who  reckons 
to  fight  Injuns  on  the  prairie  Hiirly  ?  It's  just  tri(;k  for 
trick,  cunning  again'  cunning." 

"I  protest  agai.ist  the  j)lan,  Ca[)tain  Scruton,"  said 
Rodney  hastily  ;  '*  these  spies  in  the  wood  believe  they 
are  fulfilling  their  duty.  It  would  he  dastardly  and 
brutal  to  massacre  the  unfortunate  creatures.  What  do 
you  say,  ]\Ir.  IJranton?" 

"Well,  then,  I  say,  INIr.  Rodney,"  answered  Branton, 
"  that  your  friend  there  seems  to  have  a  cross  of  savuge 
in  his  own  blood.  I'm  not  up  to  wiiolesale  murder,  if 
he  be.  But  come  on,  boys,-  now's  your  time  ;  be  bold, 
and  mark  the  torch-bearers,  that's  fair  play." 

ISIounted  and  armed,  the  little  band  fornjcd  a  line 
before  the  wood  waiting  the  apj)roach  of  the  dark 
crov.'d,  now  |)lainly  visible  by  the  light  of  the  torches, 
which  rendered  the  l;far^'rs  conspicuous  marks  to  the 
opi)onents  they  intent^'.'d  to  sur[)rise.  The  Indians 
were  naked,  and  decorated  with  })atclies  of  red  and 
yellow  paint,  and  as  their  hostile  intvntions  could  not 
be  doubted,  the  fifteen  men  fired  on  the  savage  throng, 
oroducing  much  confusion  and  loss  r  but  confident  in 
their  strength,  the  Indians  soon  rallied,  and  returned 
a  shower  of  arrows,  which  the  weaker  party  happily 
avoided  by  retreating  into  the  shelter  (jf  tiie  wood, 
and  fired  a  second'  volley.  The  crafty  Indians  Jien 
i*aw  tiie  advantage  of  the  position  of  their  opnonents, 
and  after  another  ineffectual  flight  of  arrows  they  sud- 


OF    rHE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


4.13 


denly  ohargt'd  against  their  victims  in  great  force,  lanee 
in  haiul. 

'*  It's  all  over  now,"  said  Branton.  "  Yo  yoiin  » 'uns 
tree  it.  you  may  get  oft";  but  we'll  have  to  oide  a  heaj), 
I  guess.  N(!ver  heed,  captain ;  duty  afore  self.  Give 
'em  a  ^;hout  and  a  vollev  for  a  last  token  of  love !  " 

The  repeated  firing,  tliough  it  must  have  thinned  the 
ranks  of  the  Indians,  did  not  arrest  them;  they  poured 
into  tlu;  woods,  surrounding  and  bearing  down  their 
brave  opponents  by  the  weight  of  numbers,  and  they 
only  paused  when  Arnelift'e,  in  the  Sioux  tongue,  cried 
out  for  quarter,  declaring  that  they  would  at  once  sur- 
render themselves  prisoners,  il'  they  were  assun  d  of 
good  treatment,  and  allowed  to  trade  for  their  ransom. 

"The  Swift  Klk,  the  gvat  scalp-hunter,"  said  lie, 
whose  phuned  head  marked  him  as  the  chief,  "looks 
down  with  disdain  on  the  pale-faced  long-knives,  who 
bide  in  woods,  and  war  lik(!  women.  The  Swift  Elk 
wants  liorses.  guns,  and  fire-water.  The  long-knives 
must  give  him  these,  and  woik  ms  his  slaves  till  the 
feast  of  the  scal|)s,  then  they  shall  be  given  to  the  scjuaws 
of  the  Swift  Klk,  who  love  to  make  the  cowardly  |)ale- 
faces  cry  out  in  the  fii'e." 

By  this  time  every  man  was  overpowered  and  bound 
to  his  horse  with  strong  ropts  of  sinews,  and  the  small 
possessions  of  the  vanquished,  including  the  rifles,  were 
carried  off;  then,  aware  from  the  leport  of  the  spies 
that  the  horses  had  been  sent  away,  the  chief  directed 


a  party  to  pur 


*ue  them  ;  while  he  himself,  with  the  rest 


of  his  troop,  led  off  the  unfortunate  prisoners. 

For  some  time  the  melancholy  procession  moved 
forward  in  silence ;  tben  Branton,  in  the  Sioux  lan- 
guage, attempted  to  expostulate  with  the  chief  op  theii 


454 


THE    BEAR-HUNTERS 


|i,'>' 


.- 


il    ! 


tr('atni(Mit,aii<l  to  enter  into  some  arranjjjemtntH  for  tlieii 
ransom  :  but  his  words  were  received  as  it*  unheard,  in 
dignified  sih'nee. 

"  I  guess  we're  in  a  mortal  dilemma,"  said  the  irrita- 
ted American  to  his  two  neighbors,  Rodney  and  Harold. 
**The  obstinate  old  brute  has  scrued  up  his  talking 
ingint',  and  that  means  bad.     I  say,  are  we  all  here?" 

'•  Does  anybody  remember  whether  that  urchin  of 
mischief,  Pat,  was  taken  with  the  women?"  asked 
Harold.  '*  It  was  so  horribly  dark  there  was  no  coming 
at  facts.     Ask  Will,  Rodney." 

William  remembered  tliat  Pat  could  not  be  found 
when  the  fugitives  set  out,  and  doubtless  he  was  left  in 
the  wood. 

"  It  is  quite  as  well,"  said  Rodney.  "  No  fate  can 
befall  him  worse  than  slavery  and  death.  Is  any  one 
wounded  ?    I  surely  hear  groans." 

"  It  is  John,  INIr.  Rodney,"  answered  William.  "  He 
ran  off  at  the  first,  but  \ni  hadn't  sense  to  climb  a  tree, 
so  the  savages  found  him,  and  brought  him  off.  I  don't 
know  why  he  cries  out  like  that,  for  he's  got  no 
wound." 

"  Tlie  poltroon!"  exclaimed  Harold.  *' He  ought  to 
have  been  sent  off  with  the  women.  I  doubt  whether 
he  ever  fired  his  gun.  But,  IJranton,  is  tiiere  any  hope 
of  escape?  We  managed  clevctrly  the  last  time  we 
were  in  the  clutclu^s  of  thes(?  tigers,  and  now  we  have 
no  weak  charge  to  impede  us.  Once  mounted,  I  don't 
see  but  what  we  should  have  a  chance  in  the  race." 

'' Well  then,  friend,  'once  mounted,'"  replied  Bran- 
ton,  "  I  guess  that's  the  hi  h.  They'll  shut  us  up  to 
fatten  in  their  shiughier-houses  before  they  butcher  us, 
nnd  won't    tiiey  keep  u  tight   watch  ?      That's  not  the 


OF    THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAIN'S. 


45A 


?" 


i;;lit  to 

hctlier 

hope 

le   we 

have 

don't 

iBran- 

up  to 

I'V  us , 

>l  the 


hole  for  us  to  creep  out,  I  calculjite ;  but  if  that  rogue 
Joel  gets  through  with  his  horses,  and  stirs  up  my  peo- 
ple yonder,  they'll  start  off  like  mad  ;  and  if  we're  not 
aU  roasted  or  boiled,  and  swallowed  up  before  they 
cai*  come  down  on  the  dogs,  —  that's  our  ehanee,  I 
guess." 

"  God  send  "s  help  ! "  said  Mr.  Rodney,  "  for  death, 
which  comes  to  all,  can  never  come  in  such  an  awful 
form  as  t'"..it  threatened  by  these  brutal  heathens.  Let 
us,  my  deal"  friends,  pray  for  help  to  our  Father  in 
heaven." 

All  remained  silent.  Awe,  or  fear,  or  resd  devotion 
fell  on  the  prisoners;  and  their  hearts  turned  to  the  in- 
evitable future. 

In  an  hour's  time  th<'y  dicw  up  before  a  village  of 
I'ude  huts  of  skin,  from  which  issued  noisy  crowds  of 
M'omen,  to  receive  their  victoi'ious  warrior^,  and  to  as- 
sail the  prisoners  with  groans,  shrieks,  and  opprobrium; 
they  even  attempted  to  strike  and  wound  them  with 
long  rods  and  s[)ears,  till  the  stern  voice  of  the  chief 
made  tlu-m  shrink  aside.  He  rode  up  to  the  largest 
hut,  and  alighting,  an  attendant  led  his  horse  to  the  cor- 
ral, which  lay  at  the  back  of  the  huts,  wliile  he  issued 
his  orders  about  the  prisoners  to  two  grave  aged  men ; 
and  the  unforlunate  prisoners  were  transferred  from  the 
horses  to  a  large  skin  hut,  where  they  were  left,  with 
their  legs  bound,  and  their  arms  tied  behind  them,  the 
two  old  men  taking  their  station  before  the  entrance  of 
the  hut,  and  keei)ing  a  watchful  eye  on  the  stunned  and 
dismaved  captives. 

For  half  an  hour,  desj)air  kept  them  silent,  then  liar- 


old 


sail 


1.  "  This   will  never  do,  Rodney  ;   we'll  die   like 


mei),  il  we  are  to  die.     Uut  can  we  do  nothinji?     Wherti 


i^e 


THE    BEAR-IIUNTKHS 


ml 


ferr^ 


I     !, 


V 


is  all  I  ur  iiigcimity,  our  (Miorgy,  our  l)rav«'vy,  if  \\•^\  csin't 
uiai\u  an  attempt  to  escape  Irom  a  set  (\t'  rude  and  un- 
dis(!iplined  sava<i;es  ?  " 

Rodney  sighed  as  he  answered,  "  T  liave  no  hope,  my 
hoy;  we  must  die.  Let  us  pray  that  our  death  may  he 
speedy." 

"And  tliat  we  may  fall  hy  tlie  hands  of  men,"  said 
Scruton,  "and  not  h(^  kicked  to  death  like  dogs  hy  those 
ugly  hags." 

"If  they'd  let  one  have  t'  use  on  one's  hands,"  said 
Dick,  "'  there'd  he  some  ehanec!  ;  hut  we'iu;  no  hett-T 
nor  logs  lying  here.  Please,  captain,  hail  yon  hands, 
and  ask  'em  to  slacken  these  here  ropes." 

"  lietter  keep  quiet,"  said  Arnclitfe,  "  the  spitcfid  dogs 
would  only  draw  them  tighter.     Now  John  has  a  sharp 
set  of  tu>ks,  he  might  manage  to  gnaw  through  a  r<»pe 
and  if  one  was  free,  he'd   helj)  the  rest.      Where  is  the 
fellow?" 

"  He's  at  my  elhow,  snoring  like  a  pig,"  answered 
Dick.     "  How  he  can  sleej)  is  heyond  me." 

"  That's  .John's  strong  point,"  said  Harold  ;  "  I'll  hack 
him  against  an  old  tahhy  cat  for  a  snooze.  Hut  ho 
L'ouldn't  act  in  the  face  of  yon  old  fellows,  if  he  were 
awake.     We  nuist  wait." 

"  It  would  he  as  well  if  we  could  all  sleep,"  said  Arn- 
cliflR;  ;  "to  gat'ier  strength  for  wliat's  hefore  us."  We 
shall  have  either  to  act  or  to  sulVer,  that's  sure." 

"  Arnelilfe  is  right,"  said  Rodney.  "  Let  us  try  to 
rest." 

/n  silence,  if  not  in  sleep,  they  remained  till  roused 
by  tlu  li.n'uivi;^  sounds;  the  shrill  voices  of  the  women, 
the  screatn^  of  the  childre  »,  the  yel|>ing  of  dogs,  th.c 
ue'«^hin[^  of  hoi;-  .-,  and  occasionally  the  deep,  guttural 


OF    TIIK    ROCKV    MOJNTAINS. 


457 


voices  of  .he  sullen,  brutal  Indians.  The  cu|)tives  then 
iookeJ  ivund  on  their  fbrlorn  position  ;  the  lloor  of  the 
filthy  hut  was  strewed  with  hones,  straw,  and  ends  of 
npe;  tne  sleeping-plaee,  which  extended  round,  was 
made  of  dirty  old  mats  f»nd  half-eured  skins,  from 
which  a  siekenin<^  smell  arose.  The  only  li^lit  waa 
from  an  opening  in  tiie  roof,  beneath  which  were  the 
ashes  of  a  fin; ;  and  within  the  hut,  across  the  entrance, 
were  stretched  tiie  >leej)ing  guard.  The*  nii>t  of  the 
preceding  night  iiad  ended  in  rain,  which  now  poured 
through  the  open  roof  and  the  entrance,  flooding  the 
floor. 

"  We'll  not  have  to  die  to-day,"  said  Arndiire. 
*'  These  fellows  can'i  abide  rain  ;  they'll  keep  close,  and 
if  they  have  it,  they'  J  drink  run?.  They  couldn't  get 
up  their  bonfires  to  roast  uii,  such  a  day  as  this,  thank 
God." 

"  We  are  bound  to  thank  (iod  fer  the  respite,  Arn- 
cliffe,"  said  Kodney.  "  Do  you  think,  i\]i\  IJrant.iu,  this 
atfords  us  any  hope  ?  " 

"For  certain,''  said  Mr.  Hranton  :  "  if  we  can  hold 
out  tour-and-twenty  liours,  we've  a  right  to  look  (  i  for 
friends  to  ludp  us.  If  ever  there  was  a  bit  of  b  v,  or, 
as  you  say,  Mr.  Rodney,  a  show  of  God's  nn  to  a 
set  of  poor  sinners,  it's  just  this  rain.     What  ;i;'-  those 


S 


ure 


niH'asy  lads  about?  " 

"  Is  it  Will  and  me,  yer  honor,"  6i\U\  Mik 
isn't  it  biting,  turns  about  we  are,  and  have  gotten 
through  two  strands,  but  arn't  they  iwisted  liar  I,  these 
same  rascally  ropes." 

The  boys  had  gnawed  al  each  other's  bonds  till  they 
liad  cut  the:  ropes  half-tli  ough,  but  by  Hranton's  ad- 
vice, th(!y  now  de'sisted  till  night  was  approachjMg,  I'or, 


ri' 


<  >M 


«• 


458 


THE    UEAR-HUNTKU8 


ii-'; 


!    ,,^l 


I    '■ 


I       :' 


"i; 


as  he  observed,  what  good  would  eitlnu  arms  or  Ivgs  dh 
them,  wlieij  they  were  thronj^ed  round  with  their  foes  ? 

Shortly  after  this,  the  chief  entered  to  look  with  tri- 
umph and  disdain  on  his  prisoners.  "  Wlusre  is  the 
pride  of  the  |)ale-faces  now  ?  "  said  he.  "  Do  the  grea^ 
chiefs  .'ay  now,  '  We  are  very  preat ;  Manitou  helps  the 
pale-face,  and  makes  the  led-skin  fly  before  him,  as  the 
dove  flies  from  the  hungry  vultun;.*  The  red-skin 
laughs  now,  and  says,  is  the  skin  of  our  pale  brother 
thin?  will  he  cry  out  when  the  s(piaws  cut  him?" 

"  Chief,"  answered  Mr.  Rodney,  '•  the  Gi'eat  Spirit 
made  the  j)ale  and  the  re(l->kin  to  be  brothers,  and  com- 
manded them  to  liv(»  in  j»»ace.  We  have?  fought  oidy 
to  defend  our  lives,  and  to  recover  the  pioperty  you  had 
taken  from  our  friend  ;  we  had  no  enmity  against  the 
red-skins.  We  submit  to  die,  if  your  cruel  laws  ordain 
it  ;  but  white  men  do  not  ti'cat  their  |)risoners  with 
harshness  ;  they  do  not  torture  and  starve  them.  Would 
it  not  be  wise  to  accept  ransom  for  us?  Send  a  mes- 
senger with  letters  from  us  to  the  nearest  st.'ititm,  an<l 
you  may  receive  in  exchange  for  us,  Idankets,  powder, 
and  shot,  or  even  dollars  ,  is  not  this  good  ?  " 

The  chief  was  silent  for  some  minutes  ;  then  lie  said, 
"  It  is  not  good.  Our  squaws  ask  for  pale  prisoners  to 
mtilce  them  merry  ;  and  we  love  scalps." 

"Are  the  scpiaws  of  the  red-skins  chi(;fs?"  asked 
Mr.  Hod. ley.  "  Do  they  change  their  husbands  into 
women  ?  Do  they  say,  *  Give  us  tln^se  men :  you  are 
our  sl.ives  ?  *  " 

The  chief  mused  as  he  replied,  "  The  brave  rules  on 
the  war-path,  th<'  squjiw  at  the  lodges.  We  give  the 
prisoners  to  our  squaws,  for  we  love  our  lodges  to  be  at 
peace.     T^rave  n>en   love  only  to  slay  ;  women  love  w 


•  I      i 


OF    TUK    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


459 


Bee  pain.  The  Sioux  clilef  is  not  mean  like  tlie  l*aw« 
nee  slaves' ;  he  gives  meat  even  to  his  enemies.  Mj 
brothers  shall  he  i\'i\.^' 

"Will  you  order  our  hands  to  he  unhound,  chief/ 
said  Harold,  "  that  we  may  eat  our  meat?" 

"The  Sioux  cats  with  his  teeth,  not  with  his  handfl,* 
said  the  Indian  .-connully. 

"  At  all  events,"  said    Rodney,  "  will  yon   permit  on^ 


of  our  own  servants  to  he  released  to  feed 


us 


It  h 


not  good  for  a  pale-face  to  receive  food  from  the  han<ls 
of  a  stranger." 

The  chief  ghmeed  suspiciously  round  ;  then  pointing 
to  Arndiffe,  he  said  to  one  of  the  guards,  "Take  away 
the  ho!ids  of  the  lann;  prisoner,  and  give  him  meat 
to  feed  the   rest.      When  they  have  eat  t!,   i  ind   him 


agani. 


Arndiffe  was  released,  and  with  much  j>ain  he 
brought  round  his  cramped  arms  to  receive  a  huge  howl 
of  boiled  maize  and  huflalo  meat,  and  moving  slowly 
from  one  to  another,  he  contrived  to  feed  them  with  a 
horn  spoon  of  his  own  making,  which  h«'  carried  about 
him. 

Before  he  had  finished,  the  chief  left  the  hut,  and 
seeing  the  guards  were  loimging  carelessly  outside  the 
entrance,  ArndiflTe  drew  a  knife  fiom  his  vest,  and  rap- 
idly cut  the  ropes  which  bound  ^Ir.  Hranton  and  Dick 
at  least  half  through  ;  so  that  with  a  moderate  exertion 
of  strength,  they  micht  be  completely  severed.  II<'  had 
no  time  to  accomplish  jnore  Itcfore  tin'  guards  entered, 
and  he  submitted  to  be  boinid  a2:ain.      Hut  artftillv  talk- 


in 


2  to  the  mer,  he  annised  them  with  stories  of  his  I 


!)• 


dian  exploits,  and   prevailed  on  them  to  tie  him  looselj^ 
tliat  his  arms  might  not  be  so  cramped. 


!■  1 


4(iC 


THE    BKAIl-IIUNTEHS 


mv 


CHAPTER    XL. 

.  oteiu'e  of  I)eatli.  —  The  friendly  Klf.  —  The  Joyfiil  Signal.  - 
fhe  Slauj^htor.  — Avomlulc's  (Jratitinle. —  (teiieral  I'atrirk. — 
tioiiie.  —  Separation  of  tlie  Travellers.  —  Knglawil  and  its  Duties. 

DuHiNG  tlie  day  the  pi'isoners  saw  no  more  of  the 
chict';  but  tlicy  were  f're(|iienfly  visiteil  by  the  women, 
who  deritletl  and  insulted  them,  and  were  only  induced 
to  withdraw,  by  a  promise  of  the  whole  purty  being 
given  up  to  them  at  the  festival  of  the  ensuing  day. 
How  anxiously  the  doomed  victims  watched  and  lis- 
tened, and  plotted  till  u'\'^\\l  came  on.  Then  a  tire  was 
lighted,  l?\fc,t  the  guards  might  set;  they  were  .safe  ;  and 
again  tljt    'Jiief  came  in. 

"  My  v;>men  will  not  accept  blankets  and  dollars," 
said  he.  *' I'Uey  a.>-k  for  their  right;  I  cannot  refuse 
them.  J  am  not  cruel  like  the  grizzly  bear,,  but  I 
camiot  givv>  mj  brothers  their  lives.  Let  them  prepare 
to  suffer." 

"We  are  pjt  pared,  clki<'f,"  said  Mr.  Rodney.  "Our 
God  is  mighty,  lie  will  give  us  strength  to  despi.se 
your  tortures,  ami  He  will  receive  our  spirits  into  ever- 
lasting hap[)ine.>s  aiTter  our  bloody  death." 

The  chief  stood  a  few  minutes  silent  and  uneasy  j 
then  he  walked  ai\ay,  leaving  two  yoinig  men  as 
guards,  who  min'rnu'cd  that  th<y  were  detained  from 
the  pre pfwat ions  for  ♦h->  revels  of  the,  next  day;  and 


Signal.  - 
'atriok.  — 
6  Duties. 

u  of  tlie 
women, 
iinlufed 
\y  being 
ing  day. 
and  lis- 
fire  was 
fe  ;  and 

Idollars," 
t  refuse 
,  but  I 
})repare 

"Our 

despise 
Ito  ever- 

[ineasy ; 
nen  as 
r<l  from 
;  and 


OK   THE    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


401 


cast  many  vindictive  glanees  at   tbe  prisojieis,  w!»o  huA 
caused  tlieir  disappointrnent. 

The  anxious  captives  reclined  on  their  filthy  eoueb, 
then  affceted  to  sleep,  keeping  a  watchful  eye  eontinU' 
ally  upon  their  guards,  who,  deceived  by  their  apparent 
repose,  after  some  yawniiig  fnially  follow<'d  their  exam- 
ple, and  lay  down  to  sleep.  In  the  mean  time  the  Cwe 
gradually  died  out,  and  all  was  darknesr.  in  the  hut. 
Then,  after  Mr.  Rodney  had  once  or  twice  fancied  he 
heard  a  slight  rnovcm<'nt  near  him,  he  attually  felt  a 
light  touch,  and  a  well-known  voice  whispered,  "  Sure, 
thin,  don't  be  spakin'  at  all,  while  I'm  cuttin*  ye  away, 
every  sowl." 

He  felt  the  little  active  hands  behind  him  sever  the 
rope  from  the  arms  and  legs,  and  he  ventured  to  whis- 
per, "  Are  you  alone,  Pat  ?  " 

''Sure,  won't  they  all  be  among  the  threes  waitin'  for 
y<',"  answere(l  tbe  boy;  "and  the  gin'ral  himself  manin' 
to  cut  all  the  Injinis  to  slithers.  N(MV,  be  ka()in'  quiet 
till  I  tell  ye." 

Then  the  urchin  crept  round  from  man  to  man, 
petting  all  free,  and  Mr.  Rodnev  now  saw  that  a  gap 
bad  be<'n  cur  in  the  tent-cover,  large  enougli  to  allow  a 
man  to  j)ass.  He  longed  to  avail  himself  of  this  modo 
of  escape ;  but  soon  found  it  would  be  prudent  to  wait 
till  his  limbs  had  recovered  the  power  of  motion  ;  and 
when  Pat  had  completed  his  office  he  whispered  his 
parting  instructions  to  Rodney. 

"  When  ye're  harin'  tbe  gin'ral  cry  out,  *  Give  'em  it, 
lads!'  thin  you'll  crape  through  this  same  big  hole, 
ivry  man,  and  horses  ready  outsi<le,  and  a  gun  stra))ped 
on  ivry  horse;  and  won't  ye  be  sharp  in  joinin'  the  vol- 
unteers close  by." 

39* 


'  <i 


462 


THK  bkau-iii:ntkrs 


It  wn!<  easily  comprrhciidiMl  tluit  Mr.  Avondale  wan 
•*  ihe  jfcncrul"  who  Ijad  hroii^^lif  up  Hrantou's  jM'ople  to 
tlu^  resciM' ;  and  they  eniicrly  lislencd  for  th«'  si;;nal ; 
while  thry  stretched  out  their  ndicvrd  limhs,  \c  make 
ready  for  action.  A  (piartcr  of  an  liour  of  anxiety 
passed,  then  I  he  rallvin;^  words  of  the  sii^nal  hurst  on 
tliejr  ears,  folh)\ved  hy  loud  cheers. 

Tiie  ^niards  >pran;^  up,  and  rushed  from  the  hut  to 
asc<'rlaiii  the  cause  of  tlu;  luuudt,  and  the  prisoners 
availed  themselves  of  the  opportunity  to  pass  tiirou^h 
the  openirig  nia<le  for  their  escape*,  and  found  thein- 
selv(!S  in  a  ;jfrove  of  tre(!S,  and  heard  the  tramplin;^  of 
horses  round  I  hem.  "  Ilei'e  they  are,"  cried  tin;  voice 
of  Pat.     *'Jump  on,  Mr.  Rodney;  isn't  it  fun,  thin?" 

In  two  nnnules  all  were  mounted,  Pat  springin;^ 
behind  his  friend  Dick.  The  moon  shone  bri^^htly,  and 
a  man  ridin^j;  up  to  Mr.  Hranton  wcdcomed  him,  addinj^, 
"  Come  alon<; ;  we're  all  here,  and  won't  we  whip  the 
nijLTLTi'r  critters?  " 

They  were  soon  in  (he  ranks  of  tlw;  Americans,  who 
were  spread  roinid  tlu;  villajre  charjxin^  furiously,  shoot- 
in;^  <lown  the  confused  Indians,  or  slayiuj^  them  without 
mercy  with  knives  or  tomahawks. 

"For  (Jud's  sak(.' !  "cried  Mr.  Rodney,  "hold  your 
hands  !  Here  are  women  and  (  hildren,  and  even  the 
mvn  are  unarmed  and  unprepared.  Let  us  he  thank- 
ful to  escape  uidnirt,  and  rcmendjer  that  ven<ifeancc  be- 
loiifis  to  God  himself.  My  friends,  this  is  a  base  and 
sinful  massacre  !  " 

**  You'll  not  find  it  ea<^y  to  stop  our  fellows,  now  that 
their  dan 'ier  isi  riz,"  said  IJranton.  "  Come,  now,  San- 
ders, n»y  fji^Oil  fellow,  you've  {ifivetj    them  a  swatch  ol 


OF    TIIK    UOCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


463 


ilhcnit 

your 
•n  the 
thaiik.- 
loe  be- 
lt' aiul 

Iv  thai 
San- 
U'll   ol 


your  Rtock-in-trade  ;  let  them  bo.     They  II  not   meddle 
with  our  horses  in  a  hurry  npraiu,  T  ^ruess." 

''It's  not  nltogetli'T  that.  C()U»ii«'l,"  answered  thi'  man; 
"hut  the  d(»;i,s  had  ni'ih  taken  my  sealp  In  a  -erim- 
maj^e  last  fall,  and  \  marked  it  down  thru  and  there 
as  how  I'd  sarve  'em  out  tor  it ;  and  I'll  (h)  it." 

Hut  th(?  voice  of  the  eommander  was  now  heard  call- 
ing otF  the  assailants.  "  It  is  enoufrli,  my  brave  rrieiids," 
he  said;  '*  we  do  not  war  wnh  sfjuaw-*.  Let  us  on- 
wards; we  need  rest  and  nTreshment  after  our  forced 
march." 

AVith  some  dilfieulty  the  bufrh'  called  to<;ether  the  an- 
gry m«*n,  amongst  whom  ihc*  released  Americans  were 
the  most  bitter  and  most  det«M'miiied  on  avenging  them- 
seh  <'s  on  their  tyrannical  captors.  But  now  tliey  were 
all  content  to  he  marched  off,  confident  in  their  strength 
even  if  pursued,  which  was  not  probable,  as  the  loss  of 
the  Indians  must  have  been  s(;vere,  while  the  victors 
came  off  unhurt. 

Mr.  Avoiidale  now  .sought  the  acquaintance  of  the 
friends  to  whom  he  was  so  deej)ly  indebted  for  the  re.s- 
cue  and  protection  of  his  wife  and  child,  and  they  were 
touched  with  his  a|)pearance,  bowed  with  the  anxiety 
and  suffering  of  so  many  years,  and  his  mild  and  pensive 
countenance;  and  as  they  rode  along  the  listened  with 
interest  to  his  account  of  the  meeting  with  his  wife,  de- 
livered in  the  words  which  his  romantic  dreams  arid  sol- 
itary life  suggested. 

"  As  I  looked  out  from  my  sad  home,"  he  .said,  "  I 
saw  apytroaching  a  cavalcade,  which  I  concluded  must 
be  yoUj  Branton,  returning  with  the  recovered  horses.  1 
went  to  the  gates,  and  met  Joel  conducting  the  animali 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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2.5 


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12.0 


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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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164 


THE    BEAR-HUNTERS 


to  the  corral  with  his  usual  unmoved  countenance  but 
I  was  startled  to  obscve  that  he  was  followed  by 
stranrrers.  I  drew  back  for  a  moment,  but  was  re- 
called by  a  voice  never  to  be  forgotten  calling  on  me. 
I  trembled,  and  clung  to  the  gate  unable  to  move,  and 
beliered  that  the  voice  of  the  dead  summoned  me  to  join 
her. 

"  But  once  more  my  belief  that  she  still  lived  revived, 
and  I  rushed  wildly  forward  to  receive  my  long-lost 
wife  into  my  embrace,  and  to  feel  the  loving  arms  of  my 
child  around  me.  I  can  scarcely  describe  what  fol- 
lowed, and  how  blessed  was  the  moment  when  I  wel- 
comed them  to  their  home.  My  wife  was  speechless 
with  her  great  joy  ;  and  it  was  my  little  Ellen  who  told 
me  how  much  she  loved  papa  Rodney  and  brother  Har- 
old, and  entreated  me  to  send  many  men  to  help  them 
to  fight  the  Indians.  As  soon  as  I  understood  the  ex- 
tent of  your  danger,  and  Jacob  had  pointed  out  the 
means  of  assisting  or  rescuing  you,  I  hastened  to  make 
arrangements.  But  this  rei^uired  preparation,  and 
Jacol),  who  undei'took  to  guide  us,  needed  re-;t  and  re- 
freshment ;  and  I  had  time  to  hear  the  story  of  my 
wife's  sufferings  before  Branton's  newly-arrived  men 
were  gathered  toijether  and  armed. 

"  Painful  as  it  was  to  leave  my  recovered  treasures,  T 
could  not  suffer  these  headstrong  nd  angry  men  to  set 
out  without  a  leader ;  and  it  was  but  my  duty  to  res- 
cue, if  not  too  late,  the  noble  and  generous  men  to  whom 
I  was  so  largely  indebted.  We  lost  no  time  in  reach- 
ing the  encampment  where  you  had  been  attacked, 
and  found  it  abandoned.  Traces  of  the  battle,  broken 
arrows  and  scattered  balls,  showed  where  the  strife  had 
h<i;en. 


OF    TOE    ROCKY    MOUNTAIN'S. 


465 


**  While  we   looked    round  for  the  trail,  a  boy  sud 
denly  dropped  from  a  tree,  cry  in  j::  ont,  *  Didn't  I  know, 
J.ieob,  ye'd  be  comin' ;  and  wlio  would  1w  tellin'  ye  all, 
barrin'  I  wasn't  here  myself?' 

"  I  reeoirnized  with  ^(ladness  the  broirue  of  my  dear 
child's  Irish  Pat,  and  heard  fi'om  him  the  storv  of 
your  captivity,  and  the  plan  of  sacrificing  you  at  the 
festival,  which,  understanding  the  Sioux  tongue,  he 
had  overheard  ;  and  he  begg(Ml  to  be  taker,  with  us 
that  he  might  help  in  the  rescue.  Jacob  advised  me 
to  consent,  as  he  knew  the  boy's  cleverness  in  secret 
services  ;  and  we  all  set  out  on  the  broad  trail  left  by 
the  Indians,  hoping  that  the  rain  might  have  delayed 
their  feast. 

"  We  kept  at  some  distance  from  the  village  till 
night  fell,  and  the  scouts,  engaged  in  preparations  for 
the  revels,'  had  abandoned  their  posts.  Then  our 
little  spy  set  out,  creeping  under  the  grass,  or  swinging 
in  the  trees,  till  he  discovered,  by  the  sentinels  at  the 
entrance,  your  prison  ;  and  stealing  to  the  back  of  it, 
made  such  an  incision  in  the  skin-cover  as  enabled  him 
to  cut  your  bonds. 

"  He  then  returned  with  hi?  report,  and  though  I 
was  amused  with  his  clever  schemes,  I  was  somewhat 
vexed  with  the  noisy  signal  he  commanded,  for  1 
meant  my  approach  to  have  been  accomplished  with 
more  secrecy  and  less  bloodshed.  But  it  was  too  late 
to  dispute  orders,  and  I  am  content  that  the  title  of 
general,  which  he  so  graciously  conferred  on  me,  should 
be  given  to  liim,  who  has  properly  the  right  to  it, 
G'3neral  Patrick.' 

"  And  won't  I  always  make  them  call  me  that  same, 


l!'''  '1 


!i 


i/i-  ■'! 


■l«l 


466 


THE    BEAR-IIUNTERS 


yer  lionner,"  j-aid  Pat,  "  seein'  ye're  saying  it  yourself, 
muslial" 

Without  pursuit,  they  reaehed,  hefore  night,  the 
cultivated  lands  which  denoted  the  presence  of  civiliza- 
tion. They  saw  with  joy,  fields  of  maize,  now  ripe  for 
cutting,  oats,  harley,  wheat,  beans,  peas ;  and,  above  all, 
large  patches  of  potatoes  di'cw  cheers  from  the  Irish 
boys,  and  Pat  said,  ''  And  isn't  there  the  cows,  Mike, 
quite  natunil,  and  not  bufllers  at  all  ?  And  may-be, 
will  be  seein'  the  pigs  themselves !  Sure  it's  home 
we've  come  entirely." 

The  trodden  way,  though  wanting  the  smooth  surface 
of  English  roads,  was  a  phsasing  change  from  the  en- 
tangling brushwood  and  high  grass ;  and  at  length, 
winding  round  a  grove  of  flowering  shrubs,  and  an 
orchard  of  heavily  laden  fruit  trees,  they  came  before  a 
handso.ne  wooden  building,  stockaded  round  securely; 
but  op^ming  upon  lawns  and  gardens,  through  which 
ran  a  i  lender  tributary  to  the  great  river,  wafting  its 
freshnc  s  on  the  evening  breeze.  Every  thing  spoke 
of  peaco  and  prosperity. 

"  What  charming  repose  !  "  said  Mr.  Rodney.  "  This 
»fl  truly  a  poetic  solitude.     Here  man  may 

4 

♦  Hold 
Converse  with  Nature's  charms,  and  see  her  stores  unfold.' " 

"  How  rarely  can  outward  circumstances  confer 
happiness,"  said  Mr.  Avondale.  "  For  years  I  have 
labored  ir;  this  solitude  to  endeavor  to  divert  my 
mind  from  the  corroding  care  which  oppressed  it,  but 
in  vain.     I  d<^sired  only  to  return  to  England  that   1 


OP    THh    ROCKY    MOUNTAINS. 


467 


niiglit  lake  leave  of  my  relatives  and  die.  Tiie  world 
had  no  lunger  a  home  t(,r  me.  To  yon,  true  followera 
of  the  connnands  ol'onr  blessed  Lord,  I  owe  my  restora- 
tion to  peace  of  mind.  W«dcome  to  my  house  ;  all  I 
possess  is  at  your  disposal,  my  gratitude  can  never  be 
exhausted." 

Their  aj)proa('li  had  been  seen  ;  the  outer  gates  were 
flung  o[)en,  and  the  happy  little  Ellen  bounded  over 
the  lawn  to  meet  them,  followed  more  slowly  by  her 
agitated  mother.  Kllen  sj)rang  i!j)on  Harold's  horse, 
before  him,  calling  out,  "  See,  papa,  this  if  my  dear 
brother  Harold  :  he  is  your  other  child  ;  he  shall  never 
leave  us." 

"  I  fear,  Ellen,"  s-iid  her  father,  "  that  Mr.  Crofton 
would  soon  tire  of  the  quiet  life  that  is  suitable  for 
your  dear  mamma  and  me." 

"  Then  I  will  go  with  him  to  hunt  and  trap,"  she 
replied.  "  1  will  build  his  lodge,  and  cook  Ijis  meat. 
1  am  to  be  his  squaw,  papa.  We  will  come  back  to 
you  when  the  hunting-season  Is  over ;  then  he  can 
read  books,  and  I  will  sew  skins  for  clothe?-.  But,  1 
forgot,  I  am  going  to  be  dressed  like  an  English  girl, 
Harold.  Mary  is  making  me  a  beautiful  dre?s;  I  think 
it  must  be  such  as  the  Queen  of  England  wears." 

"  I  rather  doubt  it,"  said  Mr.  Avondale,  laughing ; 
"  my  stores  of  showy  Manchester  prints  were  procured 
for  the  purpose  of  ransoming  my  treasures,  not  for 
dressing  ray  daughter,  whom  I  hope  to  see  before  long 
h  simple!  attire." 

"  She  must  have  white  dresses  when  we  can  get 
them,"  said  Mrs.  Avondale  ;  "  in  the  mean  time,  I  was 
glad  to  clothe  her  in  attire  less  savage  than  deer-sKina 
Now,  enter,  my  beloved  friends." 


468 


TnK    RFAR-nUNTRRS 


';;  '(ii 


r  * 


':  i 


!.i 


I- !  i: 


<         US 


Tliroiisrh  a  verand.ili  clnstercil  over  '.villi  roses  and 
woodbine?,  tJ  .cy  entered  the  spacious,  air}'  mansion 
where  they  found  Jacob  seated,  makin;^  snares  una 
traps,  Dennis  happily  engaj^ed  in  a  hook,  and  th« 
women  employed  in  household  affairs.  The  men 
enjoyed  the  luxury  of  a  bath,  and,  dressed  from  th« 
wardrobe  of  their  host,  sat  down  to  a  sumptuous 
English  repast,  enjoying  the  pastry,  the  milk,  the 
butter,  and  the  home-brewed  ale,  after  their  long 
privations. 

When  all  the  details  of  the  past  had  been  satisfac- 
torily heard,  the  conversation  turned  on  the  futiire. 

"  Am  I  to  have  this  holding,  Avondale  ? "  asked 
Branton,  "  or  do  you  mean  to  break  the  contract^  now 
that  you've  got  your  folks  round  you  ?  " 

"  Certainly  not,"  replied  Avondale  ;  "  my  wife  agrees 
with  me  in  the  desire  to  return  to  England.  AVe  have 
there  responsible  duties.  I  must  no  longer  be  an 
absentee  ;  I  shall  settle  on  my  Yorkshire  estate." 

"  Which  is  happily  not  far  from  my  own,"  said 
Harold.  "  I  shall  be  of  age  in  a  few  months,  and  must 
be  at  home ;  and  then  Rodney  can,  if  he  chooses, 
abandon  his  troublesome  charge." 

"I  rather  think,  Harold,"  said  his  friend,  "you  will 
need  a  guide  for  dome  years  yet.  Don't  think  I  mean 
to  emancipate  you  entirely." 

"  And  you  will  teach  me  still,  dear  papa  Rodney  ?  " 
said    Ellen.     "  You    know  I   am  only  a   little  savage 


now. 


>» 


"  You  must  be  broken  in  like  a  little  wild  filly,"  said 
Mr.  Avondale.  ^  We  must  engage  a  governess  to 
teach  you  to  sit  still  and  be  silent,  like  an  English 
young  lady  ;  must  it  not  be  so,  mamma  ?  " 


OF'     rriK    Kf^lTKY    MOrNTAINS. 


4r,& 


<es  and 
lansion 
•OS  una 
ind  th« 
le  men 
•om  th« 
n])tuou3 
ilk,  the 
ir    long 

satisfac- 

re. 

"  asked 

ict^  now 

B  agrees 
^e  liave 
be    an 

1,"    said 

id  must 

hooses, 

'^ou  will 
II  mean 


Iney 


9  w 


1  savage 


is"  said 

less    to 
English 


Rill  mamma  shook  her  head  ;  siie  was  afraid  that 
tlie  tu>k  of  converting  the  little  savage  to  young 
ladyism  would  he  beyond  the  skill  of  a  governess; 
ami  Harold  declared  Ellen  was  all  right ;  she  didn't 
need  a  governess. 

"Then,  I  look  to  it.  Captain  Avoiidale,"  said  Hran- 
ton,  "that  our  bargain  stands.  And  now,  you  folks 
there,  if  any  of  you  have  a  fancy  to  hold  a  bit  of  grr  nd 
and  settle  along  with  me,  let  him  say." 

"  Well,  then,  Abraham  Branton,"  said  Jacob,  "  gi  e 
me  a  bit  of  a  hut  to  sludter  me,  and  some  meat  and 
corn  to  keep  me  livin'.  I  calkerlate  I  be  past  trappin' 
and  huntin*  now  ;  but  I  can  larn  your  men,  and  tell 
*em  some  secrets,  and  help  ye  heaps  of  odd  ways,  I 
guess." 

"'  And  welcome  ye'd  be,  Jacob,"  answered  Branton, 
"  were  it  for  no  more  than  old  times.  You're  down  for 
one  ;  now,  then,  who  comes  next  ?  " 

"  Sure,  then,  Mr.  Branton,"  said  Dennis,  "  I'm  not 
mindin'  to  thravel  further  myself  in  this  wild  counthry  ; 
and  manin'  always  to  settle  in  the  same,  I'm  willin*  to 
take  up  my  rest  with  you.  Would  you  be  having  any 
boys,  that  you'd  like  brinp-u'  on  in  their  classics?" 

"We're  poorly  off  for  young  stock  just  now,"  replied 
Branton;  "but  times  will  mend;  my  men  will  fetch  up 
wives  and  young  uns  as  soon  as  they've  raised  huts  for 
them  ;  but  as  to  the  classics,  we're  not  over-much  given 
that  way ;  we'll  set  you  on  with  some  pen  and  ink  fixing 
to  throw  off,  I  jjuess." 

"I'll  not  disgrace  my  friends  by  returning  to  Eng- 
land," said  Arncliffe.  ^' I  shall  be  glad  of  a  hc-ding; 
the  old  woman  is  willing  to  stay  with  me ;  she's  been  a 
raoiher  to  my  lad,  and  I'll  take  care  of  her ;  and  if  your 

40 


470 


TIIK    BF,AR-H#NTKUS 


colony  ^et  on,  I'd  like  to  manage  a  store ,  that's  in  iny 
way.  Will  must  return  to  lOngland ;  he's  good  to  make 
his  way  there  ;  and  Mr.  Re  Iney  and  Mr.  Crof'ton  prom- 
ise to  make  a  man  of  him." 

Branton  gave  a  long  whistle,  and  said,  "Well,  then, 
I  guess,  I'm  like  to  get  a  valuable  lot  from  you,  ISir. 
Rodney :  but  no  matter ;  here's  space  and  stuff  for 
all." 

"  I'd  never  have  desarted.  Captain  Scruton,"  said  Dick, 
**  if  so  as  the  Nncfr/ef.  had  held  together ;  but  I'se  not 
again  this  country,  and  Colonel  Branton,  he  wanting  a 
carpenter,  offers  to  rate  me  in  his  houlding.  But  I'd 
better  be  honest  and  let  it  out,  captain.  Ye  see,  it's 
Mary,  the  lass ;  she's  wil.ing  at  last,  if  s  )  be  ar.  I  'gree 
to  bide  here,  'cause  of  her  mother,  and  Mike  as  frames 
to  make  a  good  carpenter,  and  Mary,  as  reckons  to  get 
stitching-vvork  to  hel{)  make  us  u  living." 

Two  happy  days  were  spent  in  this  charming  retreat, 
in  discussing,  arranging,  and  completing  the  decisive 
measures.  Mr.  Branton  had  two  of  the  convenient 
American  travelling-wagons,  which  were  fitted  up  with 
every  necessary  for  the  journey,  and  his  own  men  went 
as  drivers.  Dick  and  Mary  were  to  accompany  the 
travellers  to  St.  Louis,  that  they  might  there  be  mar- 
ried, and  their  rich  friends  proposed  to  load  the  wagons, 
on  their  return,  with  useful  furniture. 

"  You'll  not  be  disreraemberin'  the  seed  pratees,  Dick," 
said  Mike.  "  Sure  thin,  won't  we  have  a  cabin  and  a 
pratee-ground  illigant  altogether.  And  Mr.  Avondale, 
hasn't  he  given  mother  the  cow  and  the  pig,  blessin's 
on  him !  and  she  croonin'  over  the  same,  and  parti n 
with  Miss  Ellen,  the  darlin' ! " 

The  parting  was  sorrowful ;  but  hopes  and  eren  prom- 


OF    THK    ROCKY    MOUN'TAINS. 


471 


ick," 
nd  a 
Idale, 
twin's 
^rtin 

rorn* 


lso«  were  licM  out  of  future  tufctiji^rs.  "I  don't  kuow 
but  I  may  make  a  run  over  next  season,"  said  Harold. 
"  I've  done  little  sporting  tliis  year,  f  cjuk^  purpostdy 
to  sh'^ot  bears,  and  I  have  shot  little  but  Indians,  and 
have  neither  a  skin  nor  a  sealp  to  show  as  a  tro[)hy." 

"  I  will  come  with  you,"  said  Ellen,  "  to  help  to  hunt 
the  bears  ;  then  I  shall  see  Peggy  and  Mary,  and  dear 
funny  Mike  again." 

"  Next  year,  my  child,"  said  Mr.  Avondale,  "  you  will 
be  learning  to  smooth  your  disordered  ringh^ts,  and  to 
study  lessons  from  your  governess,  instead  of  woodcraft 
from  Harold  Crofton." 

"  But  the  squaws  always  go  with  the  hunters,  papa," 
said  she. 

"  We  must  not  venture,  I  see,  Ellen,"  said  her  father, 
"  to  produce  you  among  your  refined  cousins,  till  you 
are  reclaimed  to  civilization.  But  I  have  no  doubt  that 
in  another  year,  Harold,  she  will  bow  grac(;fully  to  you, 
and  address  you  as  Mr.  Crofton." 

"  Never,  I  trust,"  replied  Harold.  "  She  will  soon 
fall  into  the  usages  of  society ;  but  I  feel  assured  that 
she  can  never  be  made  artificial  in  manner ;  that  she 
will  never  forget  she  h.xs  promised  to  be  Harold  Crof- 
ton's  squaw." 

The  journey  to  St.  Louis  was  pleasant  and  easy,  and 
the  passengers  laughed  at  light  troubles.  Captain 
Scruton  alone  was  pensive ;  he  was  dissatisfied  to  lose 
Dick  ;  and  now,  that  his  life  was  no  longer  in  danger, 
he  reverted  to  his  losses,  and  gloomily  anticipated  the 
future. 

"  Never  say  di?.  Captain  Scruton,"  said  Harold. 
"  As  soon  as  we  reach  England,  Mr.  Avondale  and  I 
propose  to  help  you  to  another  ship.     Besides,  if  you 


m 


472 


7  hi:    r.F.AIt-lU'NTr.RS 


ri'^n't  tlu;  loss  of  Miirliii.  you  must  rejoice,  to  lie  rid  of 
Sliiirphiy,  who  was,  3011  must  recollect,  somethiuji;  lik« 
your  master." 

*'  'Tis   true,  IMr.  Crof'loii."  r('j)lied   ho.     "  I   feel  your 
kinducss  dee[)ly,  and  I  think  if  I  were  once  more  tread- 
ing my  own   (jiiarfcr-deck,  I   should   feel  a  new   man. 
Hut   I  shall  have  some  ditfu^ulty  in  replacing  INIarlin 
har.ds  are  not  ea>lly  picked  up." 

"Will  I  he  y(!r  man,  captain?"  scjueaked  out  Pat. 
"Sure,  didn't  ye  say  you'll  be  ratin' me  in  yer  ship? 
and  me  lavin'  ivry  sowl  yonder,  and  comin'  away  en- 
tirely to  run  up  the  ropes  agin." 

"  You're  hardly  fit  for  mate  yet,"  said  Scruton,  laugh- 
ing;  "but  as  soon  as  I  have  a  ship,  you  shall  be  rated 
on  her  books  my  own  cabin-boy.  And  if  you  mind  your 
duty,  boy,  you  may  command  a  ship  of  your  own  some 
day  " 

"  Then  won't  I  call  her  the  W/iite  Love"  said  the 
delighted  boy,  "  afther  Miss  Ellen,  the  beauty.  And 
me  Captain  Pathrick  Conolly !  Musha !  won't  I  be 
proud  ?  " 

Arrived  in  safety  at  St.  Louis,  Ellen  was,  for  the 
first  time,  taken  to  church,  where  the  travellers  assem- 
bled to  thank  God  for  his  m.'iny  mercies,  and  to  witness 
the  marriage  of  Dick  and  Mary.  Ellen,  pale  and  awe- 
struck as  she  left  the  consecrated  building,  said  to  Har- 
old, "  Shall  we  also  be  married  before  the  altar  of  God, 
Harold  ?  It  is  very  solemn.  We  must  learn  to  be 
wiser  and  holier  before  we  kneel  there,  don't  you  think 

60?" 

Harold  did  think  so ;  but  in  his  heart  he  treasured  uj) 
a  liop'^,  never  to  be  relinquished,  that  he  might  really 
kneel  there  ou(   day  with   his  dear  little  White  D^^vft 


H; 


OF    V  m:    UOOKY    MOLNTAINS. 


478 


or  the 

tissein- 

itnoss 

awe- 

Ilur- 

God, 

to   he; 

think 

'L'd  II J) 
really 
Dovft 


liniiu'iiso  j)ur(''iase.s  .vore  made  for  the  settlers,  calico, 
niii-hii,  china  iiiid  jj;hiss('s,  pots  and  ixctlles,  <rroceries, 
seeds,  plants,  iniplcments  of'(;vcry  kind  that  were  useful, 
not  tbi';j:i'tlin<j  hooks  and  school  nppiiances  for  Dentns, 
tts  a  lai'^e  parly  of  the  wives  iind  children  of  liranton'a 
men  wei'e  to  rittui'n  with  the  wji;^(>ik  Then  they  parted 
with  tears;  Dick  and  INIiiry  to  return  to  the  free  life  of 
the  |)rairie  ;  the  voyajj:ei's  to  step  into  civilized  life  in 
the  l>usy  crowded  saloons  of  tin.*  steamer  lor  New 
Orlcjins,  where  I'^Uen,  thou^^h  Jim;ize(|  and  diverted,  felt 
annoyed  and  trammelled  hy  foi-ms  unknown  or  lonj^ 
nej^lected. 

From  the  noisy  American  steamer  to  the  (juieler  and 
simpler  cahins  of  the  Kn<j:;lish  vess(d  the  chnnge  wa!=» 
pl<\'isant,  and  the  hoirievvard  voy.'i^(.'  was  rapidly  accom- 
plished. Tliey  landed  at  busy  Liverpool,  where  th« 
astonishinj;  scenes  I  nvildered  Kllen,  who  clun^z;  in  alarm 
to  her  mother.  M.o.  Avondah;  had  also  to  soothe  the 
terrors  of  the  helpless  Ilahnee,  who  was  as  little  easy  in 
the  bustle  of  J^nglish  life  as  in  t;»e  confinement  of  her 
P^nglish  di-ess,  and  who  i)rayed  her  mistress  that  they 
might  go  to  the  woods. 

To  the  woods  they  soon  after  departed,  after  seeing 
Scruton  appointed  to  a  iioou  shij),  and  leaving  Pat, 
newly  rigged,  with  him  as  cabin-hoy,  ranihling  about 
Liverpool,  running  into  many  dangers,  but  always 
cleverly  extricating  himself. 

It  was  at  Crofton  Manor,  the  traveLors  first  rested, 
to  become  the  guests  of  Harold,  till  ]\Ir.  Avondale  pre- 
pared his  house  for  the  reception  of  his  wife  and  child  ; 
and  as  it  was  within  thirty  miles  of  Crofton,  he  could 
conveniently  superintend  his  workmen,  while  his  family 


474 


THK    RKAR-IIUNTKHS 


enjoyed   a   sunny    hite    luilumn    amidst    the    boaiitiriil 
grounds  and  the  woods  wliich  Ilahnee  loved. 

Tlicre  was  niuclj  to  acconijdish  in  the  lonjij-nej^lected 
domain  of  Mr.  Avondale  ;  but  he  irjoired  in  the  pros- 
pect of  a  nte  of  action,  and  projected  improveuK'nts  in 


farms,  cottajrcs,  and 


d.. 


IS  a  means  of  at  once 
eini)K)yin;;  .-ind  hcnelitin^  his  ])C()ph',  and  atoning  for 
h)n^^-uiiriillili(id  (hitics.  Then  lie  iiopcd  to  live  to  k'ad 
his  cliild  tlirouj^h  liic  trials  of  Aoulh  to  the  soil  and 
g(!ntle  virtues  of  womaidiood. 

Aiul  after  years  of  salulary  trial  jind  suffering,  God 
restored  the  Avoiida'ies  to  jteace.  Tiie  manners  of  their 
ciiild  .softened  into  gentk-ness  wilhout  losing  their  sim- 
plicity. The  rude  experience  of  her  early  life  had 
rendered  her  perseveiing  and  energetic,  and  though,  in 
her  conversations  with  Ilaiold  in  after-dnys,  she  some- 
times blushed  at  the  reminiscences  of  her  feats  of  dar- 
hig  on  the  mountains  and  on  the  j)rairie,  she  never 
regretted  those  usefid  wanderings  with  dear  papa  Rod- 
ney and  her  l)eloved  llaroUl,  and  rejoiced  to  remerabei 
that  sne  wa.-j  Uersclf  one  of  the  Beau-IIunteB8. 


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